Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Requests 30-Day Extension of Investigation Period...Proposes Amendment to Special Prosecutor Act

"Further Analysis of Seized Materials and Additional Questioning Needed"

Requests Also Include Authorizing Special Investigators for Prosecution and Increasing Dispatched Personnel

The Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Team led by Changyoung Kwon has requested the National Assembly to extend its investigation period by an additional 30 days through an amendment to the Special Prosecutor Act.

Changyoung Kwon, Chief Special Prosecutor. Yonhap News Agency

According to the legal community on July 3, the special prosecutor team sent this amendment proposal to Seo Young-gyo, Chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly and a member of the Democratic Party, on July 1.

Under the current Special Prosecutor Act, the special prosecutor team may extend the investigation period twice, each for up to 30 days. Having begun its investigation on February 25, the team completed its initial 90-day investigation period and applied for two extensions. As a result, the investigation must be concluded by July 24.

The team argues that additional time is needed to complete ongoing analysis of seized materials and the questioning of witnesses and suspects, given the broad scope of the investigation and the insufficient manpower.

The special prosecutor team also requested that special investigators with attorney qualifications be allowed to handle the prosecution in court to maintain investigative capability and ensure smooth prosecution. Under current law, only prosecutors can handle prosecutions, but the team is seeking to expand this authority to special investigators as well.

The amendment proposal also includes a request to increase the number of dispatched government officials from the current 130 to 150. Due to the comprehensive nature of the investigation, which involves suspicions related to various government ministries, the team argues that it is necessary to have dispatched officials familiar with internal affairs.

Even as the investigation period nears its end, the special prosecutor team continues its work, including an additional search and seizure at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office regarding former Prosecutor General Sim Woo-jung's alleged involvement in important insurrection-related duties.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.