**Summary:**
The Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) has focused its investigation on the leadership of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), including Director Odong-un and Deputy Director Lee Jae-seung, for dereliction of duty. The investigation relates to allegations that Song Chang-jin, a former deputy chief prosecutor, committed perjury during a National Assembly hearing related to the lobbying of Lim Seong-geun. Despite being alerted to such allegations, the CIO did not notify the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office of the case involving Song.
The investigation involves significant figures such as Lee Jong-ho, close to the First Lady, and Song Chang-jin, who previously acted as a defense lawyer in high-profile cases. Song was accused of being part of a lobbying scheme related to a military investigation and testified in a manner perceived as untruthful before the National Assembly.
Despite calls to investigate Song’s claims and related activities with due diligence, the CIO concluded that there was no wrongdoing on his part, a decision overseen by Park Seok-il, the then head of Investigation Division 3. This decision and subsequent handling have generated substantial criticism, particularly regarding the CIO’s internal scrutiny practices.
The SPO has launched comprehensive searches of the CIO, extending its arm to various administrative departments while excluding the personal devices of Director Odong-un from scrutiny. The investigation continues to examine potential violations of the CIO Act, specifically Article 25, which mandates reporting any discovered criminal activity of its personnel to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.
Song faces perjury charges, while former and current investigators are being scrutinized for potential negligence in their investigations.