[Exclusive] Police Investigation Swayed by Complainant's Claims Nearly Wrongfully Accused the Innocent [Jang Yoonki Ignites Prosecution Supplementary Investigation] ④

Cases of Bribery Under the Pretext of Investigation Requests
Concerns Over Distorted Investigations Without External Verification

A case has come to light in which police forwarded a case to the prosecution based solely on the complainant's statements and the suspect's confession, only to later discover evidence that the complainant had filed a false report. There was also an incident where an active-duty police officer handling a complaint case received money from the complainant. Concerns are being raised that if investigations are swayed by statements or solicitations from one party, innocent people could be falsely accused, or the truth of the case may not be revealed.

According to a comprehensive report by The Asia Business Daily on July 10, the Criminal Division 3 of the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office (headed by Chief Prosecutor Kim Misoo) indicted a woman in her 50s, referred to as A, on June 11 on charges of false accusation and attempted fraud. A is accused of falsely reporting her ex-husband, B, claiming that he forged real estate collateral loan documents without the consent of her mother, C, to secure a loan of 150 million won.

The initial police investigation was based on B's confession. In April of last year, B testified to the police that he had "forged the loan documents without C's consent," and a month later, the police forwarded the case to the prosecution with a recommendation to indict B for forgery of private documents and related charges. Around the same time, A, representing C, also filed a lawsuit against Yeongcheon Nonghyup to cancel the mortgage registration.

However, the case was overturned at the prosecution stage. Prosecutors focused on several points: that A and B were legally married but divorced by mutual agreement in 2024; that a portion of the loan proceeds was transferred to A on the day the loan was issued; and that a confirmation document containing C's fingerprint was found in the civil lawsuit. Upon reviewing the loan usage records, civil litigation documents, and statements from Nonghyup officials, it was determined that B had lawfully obtained the loan with C's consent. It was revealed that A had filed a false report and civil lawsuit in an attempt to evade her loan obligations. B also reportedly confessed during the prosecution's investigation that he had assisted A in making the false accusation.

There have also been cases of direct financial relationships between complainants and police officers. In 2021, the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office indicted an active-duty police officer for receiving money under the pretext of soliciting favorable investigation outcomes in cases he and a fellow officer were handling.

This police officer reportedly encouraged an acquaintance to submit a complaint on a day when he was on duty in his team, wrote his own name as the investigating officer, and took direct charge of the case. He was also charged with receiving 10 million won from the complainant through an account under the acquaintance's name. In 2022, he was sentenced to one year and six months in prison in the appellate trial.

Legal experts say these cases highlight the risks that can arise when police investigations rely on confessions from one party or when improper solicitations occur. They point out that, in the absence of external oversight of police decisions, distorted investigations could be concluded without proper scrutiny.

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