Independent Counsel to Decide within Next Week Whether or Not to Extend the Investigation

The Independent Counsel Team, led by Kim Jin-heung and investigating into the corruption of the close aides of the president, announced on February 17 that they will decide whether or not to extend their investigation deadline as the timeline of their investigation completion, March 5, approaches.

The independent counsel law states that the team should report to the president if the investigation can not be completed or if it becomes difficult to make a case with the investigation results. If so, it can extend the investigation by 30 more days only once.

The independent counsel team brought Lee Won-ho, the actual owner of K night club in Cheong-ju, Chungbuk, for questioning related to corruption allegations of the former chief secretary to the president Yang Kil-seung and also Lee’s wife. The investigation focused on whether Lee tried to bribe Yang or the members of other political circles.

The team also inquired from the Korea Federal Bar Association for another assistant independent counsel since Lee Woo-seung resigned from the post and is contacting fewer than 10 candidates.

Dispatched Prosecutor Kim, who was in dispute with Lee, former independent counsel, said, “What Lee insisted was untrue, and I will initiate a lawsuit against him for libel and other charges as soon as the investigation concludes.”

Meanwhile, the Bar Association, in regard to the resignation of Lee, said, “We are still watching what the course of this incident will be, however, if needed, we may initiate an investigation over the case involving brutal treatments during questions after the independent counsel investigation ends.”

tesomiom@donga.com