The special counsel team investigating alleged disposal of cash band wrappers carried out searches and seizures on the 20th at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office and the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office.
According to legal sources on the 20th, the special counsel sent prosecutors and investigators in the morning to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu and the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office in Yangcheon-gu to secure PCs and other items belonging to members of the then Southern District investigation team in connection with the "case of a Southern District Office investigator losing cash band wrappers for bundles of money."
Targets of the search and seizure included Prosecutor Choi Jae-hyeon, who previously handled the investigation of Jeon Seong-bae, known as Geonjin, at the Southern District Office. The special counsel is said to be securing Choi's PC and other items at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, where Choi is currently stationed.
In addition, the special counsel is also conducting searches and seizures of the PCs of the Southern District Office's investigation unit chief and investigators in the seizure management unit who were involved in the investigation and the management of seized items at the time.
The special counsel also sent prosecutors and investigators to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to secure communication records exchanged between Southern District investigation officials and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office regarding the investigation of Jeon.
In Dec. 2024, the Southern District Office searched Jeon's residence and seized bundles of cash, including 50 million won worth of Bank of Korea cash band wrappers, but lost the band wrappers and stickers that listed information such as the inspection date, person in charge, and department for the banknotes.
In Oct. last year, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced the results of its audit and investigation, saying that while there was practical negligence in the management of the cash band wrappers, there was no instruction from higher-ups to conceal evidence.
Earlier this month, the special counsel also executed a search and seizure warrant on the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and secured messenger records from the Southern District Office and others.