The



prosecution's investigation into

<Anchor>

is accelerating.

There is a reporter at the Seoul East District Prosecutors' Office.



Reporter Kim Sang-min, in fact, the investigation started a long time ago, but you are speeding up the investigation with officials this week?



<Reporter>



Yes, the investigation into the suspicion of Choo Mi-ae's son's preferential vacation began in January.



It is not a difficult investigation, and unlike the expectation that a conclusion will be reached soon, a long time of eight months has already passed.



Amid criticism that it was a procrastination investigation, today (10th), it is reported that an investigation is underway on a reserve lieutenant colonel, who was then the unit commander.



He is known to be the direct supervisor of the captain, who is known to have received a phone call from Assistant Minister Chu at the time, and the person who approved Mr. Seo's vacation.



Another person whose investigation was announced today is Mr. A, who was then squad leader Seo.



Mr. A is reported to be aware of part of the process by which Mr. Seo extended his second vacation without returning to the unit on June 25, 2017.



It is known that the prosecution is recording video of the statements of those who are unusually referenced.



<Anchor>



Today, the Ministry of Defense announced that there was no problem with the vacation at the time. What are the issues of the prosecution's investigation?



<Reporter>



Yes, the Ministry of Defense said today that there is no problem with regulations because it can approve leave orally if it is unavoidable.



As a basis, I heard the unit management directive and the army barracks living regulations.



But the questions still remain.



Summarizing the circumstances revealed, whether the Minister and the couple or their assistants, it seems true that they contacted the military, but what kind of influence they exerted, and whether the military official who received the phone call felt it was external pressure.



In addition, suspicions of solicitation related to the placement of the unit and the selection of interpreters for the Olympics are also tasks that the prosecution must disclose.



(Video coverage: Namnam Kim, video editing: Seungjin Lee, on-site: Sekyung Kim) 



▶ "Direct phone call with Minister Choo Mi-ae's couple, assistants, and military officials"