The Special Investigation Division (led by Lee Young-ryeol, chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office) of the Prosecutors' Office, currently preparing an investigation of former President Park Geun-hye, continued reviewing records even on March 12, a Sunday.

Reportedly, the records amount to tens of thousands of pages when we add the investigation records that the team of special prosecutor Park Young-soo handed over to the Prosecutors' Office to the documents drawn up by the first Special Investigation Division last October-December. While many people expect the prosecutors to summon former President Park within this month, some also suggest that the questioning of the former president may be postponed to after the presidential election given the political significance of an investigation of the former president.

Based on the words of the people in the legal circle, some officials in the Special Investigation Division showed up at the office this day and analyzed the investigation records from the independent counsel. The Special Investigation Division plans to determine the priority among the investigations of the former president, former Cheong Wa Dae Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Woo Byung-woo (50), and major corporations as early as this week and embark on a full-scale investigation including the questioning of witnesses.

The legal circle expects the prosecutors to put top priority on the investigation of former President Park, who was dismissed on March 10. Among the many predictions, expectations of an interrogation of the former president this month and an indictment next month at the latest, before May when the presidential election will be held, are most dominant.

Those who expect such a speedy investigation by the prosecutors cited the negative public opinion of the former president as their grounds. Many of the people believe that the president should immediately be arrested despite her dismissal. In addition, the trial of Choi Soon-sil (61), who was indicted as an accomplice last November, has already passed the half-way point, and the trial of Lee Jae-yong (49), vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, who was cited as a bribe giver, will also begin soon. Given these circumstances, it is also necessary to prosecute the former president as soon as possible.

Some experts also argue that a speedy investigation is necessary before the presidential election so as not to put a burden on the next government. This day, at a press conference at the office of the Minjoo Party of Korea in Yeouido, Seoul, former party leader Moon Jae-in said, "Some suggest that we put off the investigation until after the presidential election, but there is no reason to postpone the investigation since former President Park is not a candidate."

If Park refuses to cooperate with the investigation, the prosecutors plan to use its authority to push ahead with a compulsory interrogation according to law and principles by requesting an arrest warrant. Earlier on March 10, Prosecutor General Kim Soo-nam ordered, "Resolutely and firmly carry out the duties of a prosecutor according to law and principles."

However, the Special Investigation Division said nothing has been decided yet concerning the future of the investigation. One prosecutor said, "They are still reviewing the records," and said, "No comment," about the specific investigation plans. Thus some in the legal profession suggest that the prosecutors may take time to leave the decision up to the next government, which the people will elect in May. After all, some also argue that allowing the future government to choose to prosecute Park without arresting her as a way to bring the nation together would be a way for the Prosecutors' Office to remain politically neutral.