Justice Ministry Committee to Investigate Prosecution's Conduct in Kim Hak-ui Departure Ban Case

South Korea's Ministry of Justice's Future Committee has decided to conduct a fact-finding investigation into allegations of human rights violations and abuse of power by the prosecution during the 2019 emergency departure ban of former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui.

The committee recently informed Representative Cha Gyu-geun of the Jo Guk Innovation Party that the case has been selected for a truth-finding inquiry. The Ministry of Justice is expected to recommend the establishment of a dedicated fact-finding team next month based on the committee's findings. The proposal for this investigation was submitted earlier this month by Cha's legal representative, who sought an examination of the prosecution's conduct during the original investigation.

The prosecution had indicted Cha, then head of the Immigration and Foreigners Policy Bureau, in 2021 on charges including abuse of power. Critics argued that the prosecution focused excessively on the procedural issues of preventing Kim's departure, rather than thoroughly investigating the allegations of bribery and sexual favors against Kim himself, which had previously been dismissed. The Supreme Court ultimately acquitted Cha and others involved in June last year.

Following his acquittal, Cha filed a complaint with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) against two prosecutors from the original investigative team, alleging they submitted false investigative reports and leaked case details. He accused them of fabricating documents and violating official secrets.

The Future Committee, established last month, aims to investigate cases involving alleged human rights abuses or power misuse in prosecutorial actions and recommend preventive measures. It had previously selected seven other high-profile cases for initial review, including the controversial Ssangbangul, Daejang-dong, and West Sea public official shooting incidents.

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The prosecution team's investigation into the 'Kim Hak-ui emergency departure ban case' has been selected as a case requiring fact-finding.