Anti-corruption agency under fire for incompetence in investigating president

Baek Dong-heum, a senior police officer at the National Office of Investigation, speaks during a press briefing at the National Police Agency in central Seoul, Monday. Yonhap CIO requests police to execute warrant to detain Yoon, but police refuse citing 'no legal ground' By Kwak Yeon-soo The national anti-corruption agency is facing sharp criticism for its incompetence in investigating President Yoon Suk Yeol over his brief declaration of martial law, even failing to coordinate effectively with the police in their joint investigation. The agency's failure to take effective action in the investigation and its poor coordination are feared to further hinder the probe, which has already faced setbacks due to the president’s refusal to comply with a warrant for his detention on charges of insurrection and abuse of power.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), one of the three entities in the joint investigation team alongside the National Office of Investigation (NOI) under the National Police Agency and an investigative unit from the defense ministry, announced, Monday, that it had requested the NOI to take over the execution of the detention warrant. “Considering the police’s expertise in executing warrants and its ability to bring uniformity to the on-site command system, we believe entrusting the execution to the police will ensure swift and efficient implementation,” said Lee Jae-seung, the deputy CIO chief. His remarks came after the CIO called off its attempt to detain Yoon after being blocked by the Presidential Security Service on Friday.



Lee added that the agency did not expect to face such a strong resistance from the presidential security service. However, the CIO said it will not relinquish its right to investigate the president, adding that its investigators will question him if he is detained. Regarding the investigation's authority, Lee said, "The police agreed on the CIO's leadership in the investigation because we have legal expertise and the right to seek an arrest warrant.

Based on the progress of the probe, if our work is finished, the case will be forwarded to the prosecution, which holds the authority to indict. If a special counsel investigation is confirmed, it will be handed over to the counsel." The CIO also said it will seek an extension of the detention warrant, which expires at midnight on Monday.

Around 40 ruling People Power Party lawmakers gather near the presidential residence in Seoul, Monday, to rally against attempts by investigators to detain President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yonhap The agency’s move prompted criticism from both the police and Yoon’s legal team. Police said the request to take over the execution of the warrant was made unilaterally by the CIO, adding that the move lacks legal basis.

“After conducting an internal review, we determined that the anti-corruption agency’s request is legally controversial,” Baek Dong-heum, a senior police officer at NOI, said at a press briefing. “We will continue to consult with the CIO regarding the execution of the warrant.” Yoon’s lawyer, Yun Gap-keun, condemned the decision, likening it to subcontracting in a construction project.

“Watching the CIO’s investigative behavior that lacks legal ground raises doubts about its qualifications and abilities as a state agency,” Yun said in a statement. Yoon’s legal team filed a complaint with the prosecution, Monday, seeking an investigation into 11 law enforcement officials, including CIO chief Oh Dong-woon. They claimed that the anti-corruption agency does not have the authority to direct the police's investigation, yet it attempted to direct police officers when executing the detention warrant.

The CIO’s move also drew criticism from the ruling People Power Party (PPP). “This clearly reveals that the CIO lacks expertise and responsibility, let alone the ability to investigate the president,” Rep. Shin Dong-wook, a spokesperson for the PPP, said.

“The behavior of neglecting its duty as a state agency damages the rule of law and constitutional order that can never be tolerated.” On Monday, around 40 lawmakers from the ruling party gathered near the presidential residence in central Seoul to rally against attempts by investigators to detain Yoon. In addition to the criminal investigation, Yoon is also facing an impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court on charges of insurrection and abuse of power.

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