Chief Prosecutor Seems to Have Abetted Agents` Beating

The Internal Inspection Division of the Highest Public Prosecutors` Office (IID) has been conducting a probe into the sudden death of Cho Chun-hoon, a suspect who was being interrogated at the Seoul District Office of the Public Prosecutors`. On Nov. 3rd, the IID reportedly secured a circumstantial evidence indicating that Hong Kyung-ryung, the prosecutor in charge of the Cho case, closed his eyes to the torture on Cho by his agents. Thus, the IID is focusing their investigation on finding hard evidence supporting the suspicion.

The IID announced that it has found out that prosecutor Hong himself was present in the interrogation room, just before Cho was taken by paramedics to a hospital on Oct. 26th.

In addition, the IID has secured statements indicating the involvement of more agents other than those three already locked up for the beating of Cho. Therefore, the IID will subpoena those allegedly involved, and will arrest and put them for arraignment, if they are found to have taken part in the beating.

On Nov. 2nd, the National Institute of Scientific Investigation handed over to the IID its report on the autopsy results. According to the report, Cho was beaten all over the body, and died of a sudden shock and a cerebral hemorrhage caused by the beating.

It has become known that the signs of contusion and bruises were found all over his legs including the insides of both thighs, left knee and calves, and the arms. Also found were cuts and bruises over his head.

The IID called in prosecutor Hong and questioned him to find out whether or not he aided and abetted the torturing that continued from the morning of Nov. 2nd to around 1 a.m. of Nov. 3rd. But it plans to bring him in again for more questioning.

On Nov. 2nd, the head of the Seoul District Office of the Public Prosecutors` announced his apology, saying, "I will take the full responsibility for this case. I will account for what I have done."

Regarding the Cho case, the National Human Rights Commission commenced its own investigation to find out whether or not the prosecutors involved in Cho`s death abused their power.

In the meanwhile, the prosecution announced on Nov. 3rd that, in order to prevent any future occurrence of such event, it would relegate much of its authority to the police in connection with the investigation of narcotics and organized gangs. Accordingly, the police would take charge of chasing, arresting and interrogating the organized syndicates, while the prosecution will limit its activities to collecting and analyzing intelligence, and engages itself in setting up anti-crime measures, based on the investigation of the police.

Wi-Yong Jung Myoung-Gun Lee viyonz@donga.com gun43@donga.com