The first investigation periods of the special counsels on Kim Keon-hee, insurrection, and the fallen Marine, launched under the Lee Jae-myung administration, all expired in August–September. The three special counsels recently extended their probes by 30 days each and have entered an extension phase.
The investigative results so far differ by special counsel. The Kim Keon-hee special counsel has detained the most people implicated in the allegations. The insurrection special counsel, after filing its "first indictment," is focusing on the alleged external enemy case. The Marine special counsel is continuing its probe without any detentions or indictments.
◇ "Largest-ever" three special counsels...spent 7.1 billion won in three months
The three special counsels are unprecedented in investigation period, the number of prosecutors seconded, and budget. The Kim Keon-hee and insurrection special counsels can investigate for up to 180 days, and the Marine special counsel for 150 days. Accordingly, the investigation periods run until late December for the Kim Keon-hee special counsel, mid-December for the insurrection special counsel, and late November for the fallen Marine special counsel. The investigation period for the 2017 Choi Soon-sil state capture special counsel, the largest among past special counsels, was 90 days.
Up to 170 prosecutors can be seconded to the three special counsels. The state capture special counsel had 20 seconded prosecutors. A total budget of 20.5 billion won was allocated to the three special counsels, and 7.1 billion won has been executed so far. The state capture special counsel's budget was reportedly 2.5 billion won.
◇ Kim Keon-hee special counsel detains a "record-high" 15 people including Kim Keon-hee, Kweon Seong-dong, and Han Hak-ja
The Kim Keon-hee special counsel detained 15 people, including former President Yoon Suk-yeol's wife, Kim Keon-hee, who is at the center of the allegations. It is the largest number of detentions among the three special counsels.
Investigating the alleged collusion between the Unification Church and the People Power Party, the special counsel detained People Power Party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong; Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja; former global headquarters chief Yoon Young-ho; and shaman Jeon Seong-bae, known as Geonjin Beopsa. In connection with the alleged Deutsch Motors stock manipulation, it also detained and indicted SAMBU Construction Chairman Lee Il-jun, former CEO Lee Il-jun, and Vice Chairman Lee Gi-hoon, among others.
However, a considerable number of those detained by the special counsel face charges unrelated to Kim. Lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong was detained and indicted on charges of receiving 100 million won in illegal political funds from the Unification Church, which is not directly related to Kim. Lee Jong-ho, head of Black Pearl Investment and known as Kim's account manager, was also detained and indicted for violating the Attorney-at-Law Act for receiving money and valuables through a third party in exchange for quashing another case.
So-called "butler gate," which is not an investigative target under the special counsel act, also went to trial for related figures without it being clear whether Kim was directly involved. Butler gate refers to allegations that large corporations and financial institutions facing legal risks made quid pro quo investments in IMS Mobility, the company of Kim Ye-seong, who was known as the Kim family's butler.
◇ Insurrection special counsel focuses on external enemy probe after first indictment...Marine special counsel
The insurrection special counsel began its investigation with former President Yoon Suk-yeol and other key figures in the Dec. 3 emergency martial law case already on trial. On Jun. 19, the special counsel additionally indicted former Minister of the Ministry of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun on charges including obstruction of the performance of official duties, earning the title of "first indictment among the three special counsels." In July, the special counsel additionally indicted former President Yoon on abuse of power charges.
Many in the legal community believe the special counsel's results hinge on the "external enemy charge" investigation. The external enemy allegation is that former President Yoon ordered drones to be sent to North Korea to create grounds for declaring martial law. On the 30th, the special counsel notified former President Yoon to appear for questioning.
Unlike the other special counsels, which are investigating multiple issues, the fallen Marine special counsel is focusing on the "VIP rage" allegation, but has not indicted any officials yet. No suspects have been detained. The special counsel said, "We do not deem there to be any particular major problem in the progress of the investigation."