The prosecution, who was investigating the suspicion of'preferential leave' while the son of Justice Minister Chu Mi-ae, 27, served in the military, seized and searched the residences of Seo and other officials.
The first criminal division of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutor's Office (Director Prosecutor Kim Deok-gon) said on the 22nd that it had seized the office of the son of Minister Chu and the residence in Jeonju.
On the 19th, the prosecution also confiscated the home of Captain A, who served as a unit support officer at the time, and the office of the military base, as well as the residence of Mr. B, former aide of Minister Chu.
It is said that the prosecution is carrying out digital forensic work by securing the mobile phones of Captain A and Mr. B.
Earlier, the prosecution is known to have found out that the two spoke at least three times from June 5 to 27, 2017 to discuss the issue of Seo's extended vacation.
The prosecution is restoring the records of calls and text messages exchanged between Captain A and Mr. B during Mr. Seo's vacation to see if there was any additional contact between the two and if another person intervened.
In 2017, Seo served as a KATUSA Soldier of the US 2nd Division, ROK Army Support Group in Korea, and spent a total of 23 days in succession with 1st and 2nd sick leave and personal vacation.
At this time, Minister Chu's former aide, etc. made several inquiries to military officials, raising suspicions that the vacation was extended due to preferential treatment.
(Photo = Yonhap News)