Jin Joong-kwon: "The First Investigation Target of the Corruption Investigation Office Is Prosecutor Shim Jae-cheol, Who Claims 'Cho Kuk Is Not Guilty'"

"Corruption covering up Yoo Jae-su's corruption, again covering up Cho Kuk's corruption"
"Minister Choo Mi-ae, putting mold in the place of a preservative"

Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon claimed on the 20th that "the number one case to be investigated by the 'Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO)' should be Prosecutor Shim Jae-cheol."

On the same day, Jin posted on his Facebook, saying, "The head of the anti-corruption division of the prosecution claimed that former Minister Cho Kuk's abuse of power was not guilty."

Earlier, Shim Jae-cheol, head of the anti-corruption division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, reportedly gave a 'no charge' opinion on former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk's abuse of power allegations, which led to protests from subordinate prosecutors saying, "Are you even a prosecutor?"

Jin stated, "Judgment is the role of the judge, and prosecution is the role of the prosecutor, but they were prevented from doing so."

He continued, "This case has already been 'substantiated' by the court," and criticized, "Is it reasonable that the prosecution, which should indict and punish the suspect, instead acts as the suspect's defense attorney and argues on their behalf?"

Photo by Jin Joong-kwon, captured from Facebook

He added, "There are also reports that this person instructed the Supreme Prosecutors' Office researchers to prepare a report stating that former Minister Cho Kuk should be cleared in the Yoo Jae-soo case. It is said that the researchers strongly opposed and refused to write the report."

Jin also said, "This was already expected when Minister Choo Mi-ae appointed this person to that position," and repeatedly criticized, "The head of the anti-corruption division sitting in that position is covering up Yoo Jae-soo's corruption and again covering up Cho Kuk's corruption? The minister put mold where a preservative should have been placed."

Finally, Jin added, "If all the above-mentioned facts are true, it clearly constitutes shameless obstruction of investigation or prosecution, which is a clear dereliction of duty and abuse of authority. The CIO was originally created to punish such people, right? I select this person (Deputy Chief Shim) as the number one case target."

Deputy Chief Shim served as head of the Ministry of Justice Policy Planning Division from August 2017, early in the Moon Jae-in administration. In July of the following year, he served as spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice. Afterward, he moved to the position of first deputy chief prosecutor at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office in August last year, served as team leader for Minister Choo Mi-ae's confirmation hearing, and was appointed head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Anti-Corruption and Violent Crime Division through a promotion to chief prosecutor on the 8th of this month.