A civic group in South Korea has reported 28 individuals, including the heads of three key special prosecution teams and the chief of the Corruption Investigation Unit (CIV), for allegations of 'legal distortion crimes' stemming from their handling of major investigations. This includes the teams investigating three significant cases: the insurrection, the investigation into Kim Geon-hee, and the Chae Sang-byeong case. The civil group, known as the Citizens' Livelihood Policy Committee, claims that these officials engaged in unlawful arrests and prosecutions during the investigation of the December 3 insurrection incident and hinted at coercive practices in investigations related to Kim Geon-hee and the Chae incident.

The 'legal distortion crime', which came into effect on December 12, mandates severe penalties for judicial and law enforcement officials found to be misapplying laws or abusing their power in criminal investigations. Offenders could face up to ten years in prison or disqualification from their roles for up to a decade. In response to the introduction of this new legal measure, police departments across the country have received guidelines to handle such cases effectively, ensuring that investigations into alleged legal distortions are managed directly by provincial police rather than local precincts.

This move sheds light on an increasing tension in South Korea regarding the authority of legal and investigative bodies, which are now under scrutiny from civil society. It reflects a broader conversation about accountability within governmental institutions and the legal framework, as accusations of abuse of power and misapplication of law begin to emerge more prevalently. As a result, the political and legal landscape in South Korea is poised for significant developments in the upcoming months as these allegations are further examined and resolved.