Supreme Court Denies Prosecutor's Investigation Team Access to Kim Yong Case Records

South Korea's Supreme Court has refused a request from a special investigation unit to access case records concerning Kim Yong, a former official of the Democratic Party. The Truth Investigation Team, established under the Ministry of Justice's Committee for the Respect of Human Rights and the Future of Prosecutors, had sought to review the trial records of Kim's political fund law violation case.

The Supreme Court's First Division, which is currently deliberating Kim's appeal, rejected the request on March 8. The investigation team was formed on February 10 to uncover alleged human rights abuses and abuses of power within the prosecution service. Kim's case is one of seven initially selected for investigation, including alleged bribery related to the Daejang-dong development project and a North Korea-related scandal involving Ssangbangul.

The Supreme Court stated that the investigation team does not possess the legal authority to request access to trial records, as per the rules governing the inspection and copying of judicial records. These rules typically limit such requests to prosecutors, defendants, lawyers, and victims involved in the case. Despite the denial, the investigation team announced its intention to reapply, providing more detailed reasons for why access to the records is necessary.