First Lady Kim Jung-sook wearing the Chanel Hangeul jacket. [Photo=Yonhap News]

Park Cheol-woo, the chief prosecutor at the Central District Prosecutors' Office who ruled not guilty in the case of First Lady Kim Jung-sook's clothing expenses, has been reported to the police for perverting the course of justice.

On the 30th, the Committee for the Countermeasures of the Common People's Livelihoods (CCPL), in response to Park Cheol-woo, chief prosecutor at the Central District Prosecutors' Office, issuing a not guilty verdict for allegations that Kim Jung-sook, wife of former President Moon Jae-in, "purchased clothes with Blue House funds," announced that they have reported Chief Prosecutor Park and Senior Prosecutor Lee Ju-hee to the police on suspicion of "not properly investigating the case due to concerns about the government and ruling party."

In 2022, the CCPL filed a complaint with the police, alleging that Kim Jung-sook purchased approximately 80 high-end outfits using special activity funds (SACF), which are part of the official Blue House budget. They claimed this constituted "embezzlement" as national funds were used for personal purposes.

At the time, the police stated, "Although we investigated based on testimony that the Blue House paid for the clothes with bundles of cash (sealed bills), we could not find definitive evidence that SACF was used for clothing expenses," and decided to drop the case with "no charges."

The prosecution stated, "We requested the police to reinvestigate, but the reinvestigation concluded with no charges again. Even if the prosecution directly intervenes and reinvestigates, it is difficult to confirm further," and finally closed the case (issued a not guilty verdict) on the 23rd.

CCPL Donation Account: Post Office 010108-01-014472

Account Holder: Committee for the Countermeasures of the Common People's Livelihoods

Reporter Im Yo-hee