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Park Kyung-ho, an attorney for a Yangpyeong County official who was found dead on October 10, speaks at a press conference in front of the KT Building in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on October 14. / Source: Yonhap News

The special counsel investigating First Lady Kim Kun-hee is facing mounting crises — from a collective protest by dispatched prosecutors to accusations of coercive questioning following the death of a Yangpyeong County official.

Despite the team’s visible progress in securing the custody of key figures, including Kim herself, the once-confident investigation is now clouded by deepening internal discord and questions over its methods.

Growing unrest within the probe team

Launched on July 2, the Kim Kun-hee special counsel — led by Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki — has arrested or detained 14 individuals, including Kim, shaman Jeon Seong-bae (known as “Geonjin Beopsa”), Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja, and ruling People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong.

But the team was thrown into disarray on September 30, when all 40 prosecutors seconded to the probe requested to return to their original posts in protest of ongoing judicial reforms, which seek to separate investigation and indictment functions and dismantle the prosecution service.

The group submitted a statement to Min, effectively staging a mutiny. After tense talks, the special counsel leadership and the prosecutors agreed to focus on completing their assigned cases, seemingly quelling the rebellion — at least on the surface.

Yet internal sources say the rift remains.

“Under the special counsel law, dispatched prosecutors are also responsible for maintaining prosecutions, which contradicts the principle of separating investigation from indictment,” one team insider said. “That means they could be tied to trials for years. Some are saying they’ll return or resign once the special counsel ends.”

‘Overreach’ claims and coercion controversy

The probe has also drawn criticism for “fishing-expedition” tactics, as several of those detained allegedly had little or no direct connection to Kim.

The controversy intensified after a 50-year-old Yangpyeong County official, surnamed A, who had been questioned by the special counsel over the alleged preferential development of the Gongheung District involving Kim’s family, was found dead at his home on October 10.

A handwritten note found nearby described distress and alleged pressure during questioning by the special counsel. The revelation fueled accusations that the team had violated suspects’ human rights and right to defense through aggressive interrogation tactics.

While the special counsel’s office has pledged to review its investigation methods, insiders describe a growing sense of unease.

“We haven’t confirmed whether coercion occurred, but the mood is grim,” a team member said. “With mounting fatigue and back-to-back crises, some fear certain cases may not be concluded within the investigation’s limited timeframe.”