'Yoo Jae-su Alleged Inspection Cover-up' Cho Kuk Indicted Without Detention... 33 Days After First Summons (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The prosecution investigating the allegations of the Blue House covering up the inspection of Yoo Jae-soo has indicted former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk (then Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs) for trial.

The Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office announced on the 17th that it had non-detained indicted former Minister Cho at the Seoul Central District Court on charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights.

The prosecution explained the reason for the indictment, stating, "Former Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Cho Kuk confirmed serious misconduct allegations during the inspection of Yoo Jae-soo by the Special Inspection Team of the Blue House Civil Affairs Office but unlawfully ordered the suspension of the inspection and failed to take proper follow-up measures. It is recognized that he obstructed the inspection activities of the Special Inspection Team personnel and infringed upon the inspection and personnel authority of the Financial Services Commission officials."

Former Minister Cho is accused of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights for halting the inspection in late 2017 by the Special Inspection Team of the Civil Affairs Office, despite identifying that Yoo Jae-soo, former Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs of Busan City (then Director General of Financial Policy at the Financial Services Commission), had received monetary entertainment and other benefits. He is also accused of requesting the Financial Services Commission to process Yoo's resignation without a separate fact-finding investigation.

The prosecution's indictment comes 33 days after the first summons and investigation of former Minister Cho on the 16th of last month, and 11 days after the third summons and investigation on the 6th. The prosecution requested a pre-trial detention warrant on the 23rd of last month, but the court dismissed it.

At that time, Judge Kwon Deok-jin, in charge of warrants at the Seoul Eastern District Court, stated, "Former Minister Cho's abuse of authority in halting the inspection of Yoo Jae-soo not only regressed the rule of law, which is the foundation of society, but also impaired the fair exercise of state functions," but judged that "there is no concern of evidence destruction."