"Luxury Bag." Prosecutor General's report...Disposal as early as this week

[Anchor]
The prosecution reports the results of the investigation into the alleged receipt of luxury bags by First Lady Kim Gun-hee to the Prosecutor General today (26th).

Attention is focusing on what the prosecution, which is in a dilemma as a result of the opposite investigation review committee, will conclude, and the results are expected as early as this week.

I'll connect you to a reporter. Reporter Hong Min Gi!

Yes, the prosecutor general will be briefed on the results of the luxury bag case today?

[Reporter]
Yes, it is.

Lee Chang-soo, head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, who investigated the case, reports the results of the investigation into the alleged receipt of luxury bags to the Prosecutor General today (26th).

Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung will be briefed on the results of the investigation into the luxury bag case at the prosecutor's regular report, which will be held for the first time since he took office.

It has been more than four months since former Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok ordered a quick investigation into the case in May.

The prosecution was in a last-minute dilemma, accepting mixed recommendations that Kim Gun-hee, who received the bag after going through two investigative review committees, should not be prosecuted, and Pastor Choi Jae-young, who handed over the bag, should be prosecuted.

However, the legal profession predicts that it is difficult to change the non-prosecution of Kim Gun-hee, as there is no punishment clause for the spouse of a public official under the anti-graft law.

The key is the disposition of Pastor Choi Jae-young who handed over the bag.

Earlier, the investigation team saw that the gift given by Pastor Choi was not solicitable, and decided not to indict Pastor Choi, but the calculation method became complicated as the committee recommended the prosecution.

This is because if only Pastor Choi is handed over to trial and Mrs. Kim is not prosecuted, she could face strong criticism for taking care of Mrs. Kim.

On the other hand, it is also burdensome for the prosecution that if Pastor Choi is not prosecuted, it will set a precedent that breaks the recommendation of prosecution for the first time.

Pastor Choi also reportedly said that it is necessary to prosecute and seek the court's judgment as there are conflicting judgments among legal professionals.

President Shim, who has the command of the case, is expected to decide on the final conclusion after receiving the weekly report today.

From the first week of October next week, the prosecution and other agencies will have to start preparing for a full-fledged parliamentary audit, so there is a possibility of making a decision as early as today.

I'm Hong Min Gi of YTN at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.