The Supreme Prosecutors Office said Wednesday that it has launched an internal inspection into a high-ranking official on suspicion that he gave advice to a corrupt prosecutor under investigation for taking bribes.
Choi Jae-kyong, the head of SPO's central investigation unit, the powerful team that exclusively probes political heavyweights and big names, is suspected of advising Kim Kwang-joon on how to deal with media while Kim was under investigation by special prosecutors, the inspection team at the SPO said.
Kim, a senior prosecutor, is accused of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribe from a businessman in exchange for influence peddling. The prosecution established a special investigation team to look into the case.
"We started inspecting Choi for giving advice to Kim on media treatment, after receiving documents on Choi from the special team," said Lee Joon-ho, the chief inspector of the SPO.
However, Choi denied the allegations.
"I never did anything shameful," Cho said. "It's not against the law. I just gave private advice to a friend of mine."
He also said he has been in conflict with Prosecutor-General Han Sang-dae over carrying out reform measures including abolishing the central investigation unit.
"There was disagreement (with prosecutor-general) over handling the corruption cases and revamping the prosecution," said Choi, suggesting that the row resulted in the inspection targeting him.
The prosecution has been under fire for a series of corruption scandals, including one in which a trainee prosecutor allegedly had sex with a female suspect during an investigation.
As part of stern reform measures, the SPO is seeking to reduce the prosecution's investigative power and abolish the powerful central investigation unit.
