First special inspector who investigated scandal-ridden presidential secretary

First special inspector who investigated scandal-ridden presidential secretary. August. 20, 2016 07:11. by 배석준기자eulius@donga.com 김민기자. Special inspector Lee Seok-soo who requested prosecution investigation into Woo Byung-woo, the senior civil affairs secretary to President Park Geun-hye, was three years senior to Woo during his undergraduate years in the Department of Law at Seoul National University, and they worked together at the Prosecutor's’ Office.

Lee finished his Judicial Research and Training Institute course as the 18th judicial apprentice, one year earlier than Woo. Serving as a prosecutor for 22 years, Lee is a veteran in inspection and public safety as he also worked on corrupt acts of prosecution officials. Starting his career as the prosecutor of the East Branch Office at the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office, he served as the Chief Inspector of 1st and 2nd Inspection Sections at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the deputy head prosecutor at Chuncheon and Jeonju District Prosecutors' Offices. In 1998, he gained a name as an expert inspector on North Korean variables during the South Korean Presidential elections by participating in the so-called “Northern wind inspection.” He also worked at the Presidential Committee on Judicial Reform.

Lee became a practicing lawyer in 2010, but his major area of expertise was still focused on inspection. Lee served as the special assistant attorney to a special team of prosecutors who investigated former President Lee Myung-bak’s acquisition of a private resident in southern Seoul in 2012. During the investigation, the team overruled the decision made by the Public Prosecutors' Office that acquitted all suspects. Lee played a critical role in indicting three former and incumbent Cheong Wa Dae (presidential office) officials on charges of breach of trust. Lee's contributions to the team were highly recognized during the confirmation hearing.

The Act on Independent Inspector General came as a presidential campaign pledged by President Park Geun-hye to eradicate possible corruptions related to close aides or relatives. Lee was appointed as the first independent inspector general in March 2015, after the Act passed by the National Assembly in March 2014. Secretary Woo was promoted as the senior presidential secretary for civil affairs secretary in January 2015 after being appointed as a presidential secretary for civil affairs in May 2014. Woo has become the first target for the special inspection.