The court hearing to determine the arrest of former chief prosecutors Kim Sun-kyu and Song Chang-jin, who are accused of obstructing the investigation into the Chae Sang-byeong case, was held on the 17th. Nam Se-jin, the judge responsible for warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, conducted a pre-arrest interrogation for former chief prosecutor Kim at 10 a.m. Song’s hearing, initially scheduled for 11 a.m., began around 12:35 p.m. due to the extended session for Kim.
Former chief prosecutors Kim and Song dodged reporters and headed to court at 9:27 a.m. and 10:37 a.m., respectively. Special Prosecutor Lee Myung-hyeon’s team requested arrest warrants for them on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of justice.
Kim is accused of intentionally delaying the investigation into the death of Chae Sang-byeong while acting as the head of the high office last year. The Special Prosecutor’s team has testimony that Kim instructed the investigation team not to summon those involved in the case before the April 10 general election. There’s also a suggestion that he rushed the investigation to create grounds for exercising a right to veto ahead of the full passage of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecution Act. Kim reportedly denied all charges in the warrant hearing.
Song, who served as acting deputy chief of the high office last year, is alleged to have instructed the investigation team to lift the travel ban on Lee Jong-seop, the former Defense Minister and a key suspect, and obstructed the filing of a search and seizure warrant for former President Yoon Seok-yeol. The Special Prosecutor’s team has statements indicating that Song ordered the lifting of the travel ban on March 6, when Lee was appointed as Ambassador to Australia, and that he refused sanctions related to Yoon during a meeting in June last year.
Song’s side acknowledged discussions with the investigation team about the travel ban, stating they ultimately recommended maintaining the ban to the Ministry of Justice, and claimed the need for careful consideration due to the repeated dismissals of warrants against Yoon. Song also faces charges of perjury under the National Assembly Testimony and Appraisal Act for making false statements during a hearing.
Song allegedly provided false testimony during a July session of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, claiming that all warrants for telecommunication records concerning former President Yoon were dismissed and that he was unaware of former Black Pearl Invest CEO Lee Jong-ho’s involvement in the case. Democratic Party lawmakers view Song’s reported role as deputy chief, receiving investigation reports, as contradicting his claims and have filed charges against him.
Both Kim and Song have past work experience with former President Yoon and are branded as “pro-Yoon prosecutors,” leading to suspicions from the Special Prosecutor’s team that their investigation interference was influenced by their relationship with Yoon. During the warrant hearing, the special prosecution stressed the serious nature of their crimes and the risk of evidence destruction, arguing for the need to investigate them under arrest. The decision on their arrest is expected late at night.