Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor, Additional Summons for 'VIP Rage Theory' Meeting Attendees... "Yoon is also an Important Suspect"

[Financial News] The Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor's Team (Special Prosecutor Lee Myung-hyun) continues to summon attendees of the presidential office meeting where the so-called 'VIP Rage Theory' emerged. Regarding former President Yoon Seok-yeol, they expressed a strong intention to investigate, calling him an "important suspect."
At a briefing at the special prosecutor's office in Seocho-dong, Seoul, on the morning of the 14th, Jeong Min-young, deputy special prosecutor of the Chae Sang-byeong team, stated, "This week, we plan to summon and investigate Lee Chung-myeon, the diplomatic secretary of the National Security Office, and Wang Yun-jong, the economic security secretary, who attended the (presidential office-led) meeting." The investigation of former Secretary Lee is scheduled for 2 p.m. today, and the schedule for former Secretary Wang will be confirmed and announced later.
The VIP Rage Theory is the suspicion that former President Yoon was greatly angered after receiving a report on the investigation results of the Marine Corps investigation team, which applied charges of involuntary manslaughter to former Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Lim Seong-geun, at a security office meeting he presided over on July 31, 2023.
Based on the investigation results of Kim Tae-hyo, former First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, who was summoned last Friday, the special prosecutor's team explained, "We plan to specifically investigate how the report to former President Yoon was conducted during the meeting and how former President Yoon reacted and instructed in response."
The special prosecutor's team repeatedly emphasized their investigation policy regarding former President Yoon. Deputy Special Prosecutor Jeong stated, "In this case, former President Yoon is an important suspect to be thoroughly investigated," adding, "If he does not comply with the summons, we have no choice but to consider various methods." The special prosecutor's team is also coordinating additional investigations into former Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwan.
The special prosecutor recently announced that they have seized and searched over 20 locations, including offices and residences of major suspects and witnesses, in connection with allegations of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights over the past five days. During this process, they secured more than 30 mobile phones and over 10 personal computer (PC) hard disks, among other electronic devices. However, as some suspects refused to provide passwords for certain mobile phones, they plan to request additional forensic work from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.
Meanwhile, the special prosecutor's team reported that there has been no sharing of seized materials with other special prosecutors. Deputy Special Prosecutor Jeong stated, "Since the materials we have seized may also be necessary for other special prosecutor investigations, we are in discussions," and added that they are reviewing lawful methods of sharing seized materials through additional warrants to avoid 'illegal collection controversy.'

scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter