Prosecutors on the 5th closed without charge the probe into allegations that the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office destroyed sealing band strips for bundled cash.
The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office said in a press notice that day that it issued a no-charge disposition, noting, "No evidence was found to recognize that those in charge of handling seized items intentionally damaged or discarded the sealing-band packaging and strips for bundled cash or that they systematically concealed evidence."
The allegation arose when the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office lost the sealing band strips and stickers for bundled cash that it had secured during a search of Jeon Seong-bae's home in Dec. 2024. Prosecutors at the time secured cash including 50 million won worth of Bank of Korea bundled cash, but lost the strips and stickers that listed information such as the banknote inspection date and the responsible department.
The Supreme Prosecutors' Office said in Oct. last year, after inspecting and investigating the case, that there was practical negligence in the management of the bundled-cash sealing bands, but no order from higher-ups to conceal evidence. Afterward, the special counsel team also investigated the matter but, unable to reach a conclusion within its mandate, referred it back to prosecutors.
After reviewing the case referred by the special counsel, the Southern District Prosecutors' Office decided not to indict, judging that evidence was insufficient for criminal punishment.