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President Park Geun-hye and Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo

The investigative team of Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo is coordinating with President Park Geun-hye on a schedule for in-person questioning, it was confirmed on Jan. 24.

The team also plans to conduct a search and seizure on the Blue House shortly after concluding that one is possible based on a review of relevant laws.

According to accounts from legal sources on Jan. 24, the team recently proposed to Park Geun-hye’s side that in-person questioning be conducted around early February. Park’s representatives have not yet given a clear answer on whether she will agree, sources said.

“My understanding is that the Special Prosecutor‘s team is currently coordinating opinions with President Park’s side on a schedule for in-person questioning,” said a legal source speaking on condition of anonymity. “Nothing has been decided yet on whether the questioning will happen or when.”

The team‘s decision to begin preliminary coordination was based on the conclusion that Park should be questioned in person no later than early February in view of the Feb. 28 investigation closing date. On Jan. 17, Special Prosecutor’s spokesperson Lee Gyu-cheol said the Park’s questioning “needs to take place no later than around the beginning of February.”

The team also plans to conduct a search and seizure on the Blue House in the near future.

“Based on a legal examination, we’ve concluded that a search and seizure on the Blue House is feasible,” said a team source.

With the team apparently gearing up for a forcible search rather than relying on voluntary submission of materials, a heated legal battle with the Blue House looks to be in the cards. Prosecutors attempted to conduct a search and seizure on the Blue House in Oct. 2016, but the Blue House refused to allow it, citing “military secrecy” and “confidentiality of duties,” and voluntarily provided only some of the requested materials. The special prosecution team’s conclusion is that a search and seizure is necessary for investigation not only of Park but also former Blue House Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs Woo Byung-woo.

The team also made reference on Jan. 24 to a possible extension of its investigation period.

“The Special Prosecutor Act states that an extension request can be made three days before [the investigation period closes],” said Lee Gyu-cheol.

“We will make a decision after considering the investigation’s progress,” he added.

According to the Special Prosecutor Act, the initial ending date for the investigation is Feb. 28, while one 30-day extension may be granted by presidential approval.

By Choi Hyun-june, staff reporter

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