Lee appoints special prosecutor to investigate shaman, Coupang severance payments
Ahn Gweon-seob / Yonhap
President Lee Jae Myung on Monday appointed veteran lawyer Ahn Gweon-seob as a special counsel to investigate a missing banknote-strap case involving a shaman connected to former first lady Kim Keon Hee and an unpaid severance case at a subsidiary of e-commerce giant Coupang.
Ahn was selected from a shortlist of special prosecution candidates recommended by a parliamentary special committee on Sunday, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said.
A managing partner at Daeryun Law Firm, Ahn previously served as chief of a criminal division at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office and head of the trial department at the Seoul High Prosecutors Office.
In December, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office had seized 50 million won ($34,000) in cash wrapped in banknote straps during a raid on the home of Jeon Seong-bae, better known as Geonjin.
Prosecutors, however, failed to trace the source of the funds after the straps went missing during the investigation.
Such banknote straps typically contain key information such as the date of inspection and identification number and are considered important clues for investigators when tracing the flow of funds.
Separately, Ahn's team will also investigate allegations that senior prosecutors exerted pressure to clear Coupang Fulfillment Services, Coupang's logistics affiliate, of charges in an unpaid severance pay case.
Ahn will be given a 20-day preparation period to launch the special probe, which can last up to 90 days.