SEOUL: The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) in South Korea faces uncertainty as President Yoon Suk Yeol delays the endorsement of term extensions for its prosecutors, a move that has raised concerns about the agency’s integrity and prompted suspicions of obstruction of justice.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the CIO requested the president’s approval in August to extend the three-year terms of key prosecutors, including investigation planning officer Cha Jeong-hyun and senior prosecutor Lee Dae-hwan, among others. Despite the absence of a formal time limit on the president’s decision, the delay has extended beyond two months, leaving four prosecutors at risk of automatic retirement as their terms are set to expire. The CIO regards unrenewed terms as leading to automatic retirement, which could impact ongoing critical investigations such as those into the suspicious death of a Marine and alleged influence peddling by a self-proclaimed power broker.
Currently, the CIO operate
s with a reduced number of 18 prosecutors out of an authorized quota of 25, complicating the workload, particularly in the Criminal Investigation Division 4. President Yoon’s previous appointments, including that of Chief Prosecutor Oh Dong-woon and Deputy Chief Lee Jae-seung, were also delayed, adding to the operational strain. The president’s repeated vetoes against special motions to investigate significant cases, citing ongoing CIO investigations, further emphasize the need for clarity and expedience in prosecutor appointments. The delays in endorsement raise questions about potential efforts to undermine the CIO, highlighting the ongoing tension between the agency and the presidential office.