Anti-corruption official closed graft inquiry into ex-first lady after meeting with Yoon

Revelations surrounding the closure of the graft investigation into former First Lady Kim Keon-hee have cast a shadow over the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC). An internal probe has uncovered evidence suggesting that Chung Seung-yun, the vice chairperson at the time, held a late-night meeting with President Yoon Suk-yeol shortly before the case was dismissed. This meeting, described as unofficial and lasting about an hour at the presidential residence, raises serious questions about the independence and integrity of the ACRC's decision-making process.

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While the case was being handled, he met with the respondent and his team [Yoon and others] late at night at the presidential residence, where he participated in an unofficial meeting that lasted for around an hour.

The task force conducting the internal probe found that Chung did not adhere to the division's consensus and appeared to have pre-determined the case's outcome. Evidence suggests that Chung drafted the resolution to close the case himself, just two hours before the ACRC's whole-house committee was set to review it. This conduct, coupled with allegations of workplace harassment against an ACRC official who later died by suicide, paints a troubling picture of the commission's internal operations during this period.

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Two hours before the whole-house committee, Chung held an unofficial meeting in which he mentioned how the case would be handled and personally drafted the resolution.

The deceased official, identified by the surname Kim, had reportedly expressed guilt over the decision to close the investigation into the first lady's acceptance of a luxury handbag. The task force's assessment indicates that Chung's actions, including restricting the deceased's speaking rights and excluding him from major cases, likely constituted workplace harassment. The Hankyoreh, which previously reported on this matter, highlights the profound impact these events have had, particularly given the sensitive nature of investigations involving high-profile figures. The call for further investigation by the National Office of Investigation underscores the public's demand for accountability and transparency.

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There is evidence that shows that Chung restricted the deceased’s right to speak during meetings and excluded him from working on major cases. Chung also subjected the deceased, who opposed the closing of [Kim Keon-hee’s] graft case, to injustice in the workplace and criticized him publicly. It is highly likely that such conduct constitutes workplace harassment.