Special Prosecutor Team Marks 75 Days Amidst Controversy, Lacking Results

The second comprehensive special prosecutor team has reached its 75th day since commencing its investigation, yet it has failed to secure face-to-face interviews with key suspects, yielding no discernible achievements. Since its launch on February 25th, the special prosecutor team has reportedly not indicted any major suspects or brought any cases to trial, other than dismissing charges of conspiracy to commit rebellion against former Jeonbuk Governor Kim Kwan-young and Jeju Governor Oh Young-hoon.

The special prosecutor team had requested former President Yoon Suk-yeol and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun appear for questioning on charges of rebellion under the Military Criminal Act. However, both individuals did not attend a single face-to-face interview, citing that the charges were identical to those already being tried and that their ongoing trials made physical attendance difficult. Meanwhile, the special prosecutor team visited a military facility on Yeonpyeong Island to verify the contents of a notebook belonging to former Republic of Korea Army Intelligence Corps Commander Noh Sang-won.

In contrast to the previous three special investigations, where approximately 20 individuals, including former President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee, were detained around the halfway mark of the investigation, legal circles are pointing out the slower progress of the current comprehensive special prosecutor team. Some express concerns that the investigation may lose momentum due to insufficient personnel for the vast scope of the probe and accumulated fatigue from repeated special investigations.

Within the comprehensive special prosecutor team itself, continuous controversies have arisen, including the leak of investigation transcripts by a special investigator, a special prosecutor posting critical remarks on personal social media, and appearances on pro-government YouTube channels. These incidents have led to disciplinary actions such as one-month suspensions and changes in investigation team leadership.

With the regular investigative period of 90 days, extendable twice for 30 days each, this comprehensive special investigation is set to continue until the end of July.