Kwon Chang-young (C), the special counsel leading a follow-up investigation into allegations not addressed in three previous probes involving former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, speaks during his first press conference at the special counsel team office in Gwacheon, South Korea, 25 February 2026. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
April 12 (Asia Today) — An unusual situation is unfolding in South Korea as prosecutors, a special counsel team and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials simultaneously move to reexamine major cases tied to allegations of “fabricated indictments,” intensifying political and legal tensions.
The cases under scrutiny include the alleged illegal transfer of funds to North Korea involving the Ssangbangwool Group and the Daejang-dong development corruption case, both of which are also the subject of a parliamentary probe led by the Democratic Party of Korea.
According to Asia Today reporting, a special counsel team led by Kwon Chang-young and the anti-corruption agency are investigating suspicions surrounding the North Korea fund transfer case. The case centers on allegations that the Ssangbangwool Group sent money to North Korea on behalf of Gyeonggi Province during projects pursued when President Lee Jae-myung was governor.
Lee Hwa-young, former vice governor for peace affairs, was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison, a ruling finalized by the Supreme Court. Lee Jae-myung was also indicted, but his trial has been suspended following his election as president.
The ruling party has argued that prosecutors coerced testimony and pursued a “fabricated indictment,” calling for charges to be dropped.
The anti-corruption agency has opened an investigation into allegations that prosecutor Park Sang-yong, who led the case, coerced testimony and encouraged perjury. The case was assigned to a dedicated investigative unit last month.
Meanwhile, the special counsel team is examining whether the presidential office under the previous administration interfered in the early stages of the investigation. Authorities have imposed a travel ban on Park as part of the probe.
Separately, the prosecution has launched an internal inspection into prosecutors who handled both the North Korea fund transfer case and the Daejang-dong case, following a request relayed through the Ministry of Justice. The review, led by a human rights task force at the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office, covers multiple prosecutors involved in the investigations.
The overlapping probes have sparked debate over prosecutorial independence and the appropriateness of political involvement in ongoing or concluded cases.
Former Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok criticized the parliamentary inquiry, saying it risks undermining the rule of law and the judicial system. He argued the probe effectively shifts judicial functions to the legislature, potentially violating the constitutional principle of separation of powers.
He said the inquiry attempts to overturn court-established facts and legal conclusions in a short period by emphasizing claims from convicted defendants, adding that such actions could discourage prosecutors and judges from pursuing cases involving political power.
Hong Seung-wook, former chief prosecutor of the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office who led the investigation, also defended the probe, saying it was conducted thoroughly without political considerations and warned that targeting investigators could amount to retaliation.
Legal experts have raised concerns that revisiting cases already decided by the courts or still under trial could encroach on judicial authority and undermine the constitutional balance of powers.
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260412010003476