Special Prosecutor Ahn Gwon-seob Executes 'Search and Inspection Warrant' at Bank of Korea—First Compulsory Investigation

[Financial News] The team of Special Prosecutor Ahn Gwon-seob, which is investigating allegations of the loss of Officially Sealed Banknote Bundle bands at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, has executed a search and inspection warrant at the Currency Issue Department of the Bank of Korea (BOK). The procedure aimed to verify all information related to the Officially Sealed Banknote Bundles, and did not include seizure.
On the morning of the 19th, the special prosecutor’s team began executing a search and inspection warrant—excluding seizure—at the Currency Issue Department of the BOK.
The purpose of this search and inspection is to confirm information related to the manufacturing, sorting (the process of screening and classifying recovered banknotes), storage, and distribution of the Officially Sealed Banknote Bundles (including both manufacturing and usage rights) at the BOK. Participating in the execution were Deputy Special Prosecutor Ki-Uk Kim, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Joo-dong Han, five investigators, and one forensic specialist.
However, unlike a typical 'search and seizure,' this action excluded seizure. It is reported that the special prosecutor’s team took into account that the BOK is not considered a suspect.
With this execution, the special prosecutor’s team has launched its first external compulsory investigation since its establishment. The team is currently reviewing related inspection records received from the Inspection Department of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and is expected to summon relevant individuals for questioning soon.
The Officially Sealed Banknote Bundle band loss case refers to suspicions that, during a search and seizure at the home of Jeon Seong-bae—known as 'Geonjin Bopsa'—on charges of violating the Political Funds Act by the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office in December last year, BOK Officially Sealed Banknote Bundle stickers and bands worth approximately 50 million won were lost. An Officially Sealed Banknote Bundle is a bundle of banknotes wrapped with a band and sealed in plastic to guarantee the denomination and condition of the currency.
In August, Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho instructed the prosecution to take necessary measures, including inspection, regarding this matter. On the 21st of the same month, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office began investigating the investigator who damaged or lost the Officially Sealed Banknote Bundle band. Later, in October, Minister Jung determined that an independent investigation was necessary and, under the Standing Special Prosecutor Act, ordered a special prosecutor investigation into both the Coupang non-indictment pressure allegations and this case.
Meanwhile, the special prosecutor’s team is also continuing its investigation into the allegations of external pressure not to indict in the Coupang severance pay case. The special prosecutor has summoned Moon Ji-seok, Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office, twice for questioning as the individual alleged to have received such pressure.
scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter