Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor, Park Seong-jae's Search and Seizure on 'Lee Jong-seop Escape Allegation'... Kim Yong-hyeon Investigation on the 6th

[Financial News] The Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Team (Lee Myeong-hyeon Special Prosecutor) is conducting a search and seizure of former Minister of Justice Park Seong-jae's mobile phone and other items in connection with the suspicion of involvement in the departure process of former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop as the Ambassador to Australia. Additionally, former President Yoon Seok-yeol is set to investigate former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyeon, who attended the presidential office meeting related to the so-called 'VIP Rage Theory', on the 6th.
Jeong Min-young, Special Prosecutor, stated at a regular briefing on the 4th, "A search and seizure is underway from this morning related to the appointment of the Ambassador to Australia," and "We have investigated officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice as references, and based on this, we have determined that additional material needs to be secured, so we are conducting a search and seizure of the relevant parties."
Jeong Special Prosecutor explained, "Today's search and seizure of residences is not being conducted," and that if there is an office, it is targeted, and if not, personal mobile phones or vehicles are being searched.
Park's lawyer announced through a media notice that "a search and seizure is being conducted on mobile phones and vehicles as a suspect," and that the court dismissed the warrant for the search and seizure of residences.
Additionally, Lee Jae-yu, the then Director of Immigration Policy at the Ministry of Justice, was also included in the search and seizure targets, and it is reported that the search was conducted on the office where he is currently working, not in the past.
Former Minister Lee was appointed as the Ambassador to Australia on March 4, 2024, but was under a travel ban due to allegations of investigation pressure and abuse of authority at the time. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) opposed the lifting of the travel ban, but the Ministry of Justice lifted it, and former Minister Lee was appointed as the Ambassador to Australia, resigning after 25 days.
The special prosecutor plans to summon former Minister Kim, who is in custody, to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office for investigation at 10 a.m. on the 6th. Former Minister Kim attended the chief secretary meeting as the Chief of Presidential Security on July 31, 2023, when former President Yoon reportedly 'raged', but he is the last person among the attendees who has not yet been investigated. Jeong Special Prosecutor explained, "We plan to investigate the overall content reported to former President Yoon, instructions, and subsequent actions at the meeting."
Cho Tae-yong, former Director of National Security, is also scheduled to undergo a second reference investigation at 9:30 a.m. on Friday. It is reported that during the first investigation, former Director Cho made a statement acknowledging that former President Yoon was enraged.
Meanwhile, the special prosecutor stated regarding a media report on First Lady Kim Geon-hee's secret phone, "It seems to be something we cannot confirm." Regarding the forensic procedure of the secret phone, "The imaging (copying of original data) has not yet been completed," and "I understand that it will be provided to Mrs. Kim after it is completed."
The special prosecutor team plans to look into the allegations of delaying the transfer of investigation records, retrieving investigation records, and reducing charges, stating that "a significant portion of the facts have been confirmed" regarding the VIP rage. Additionally, they plan to expand the scope of the investigation to include the lobbying for the rescue of former Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Lim Seong-geun and the circumstances of former Minister Lee's appointment as the Ambassador to Australia.

scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter