[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Supreme Prosecutors' Office has decided to exclude the agenda concerning Prosecutor General Han Dong-hoon (47, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 27) from the expert investigation advisory panel meeting related to the 'alleged collusion between prosecutors and media.'
However, there remains a possibility that the advisory panel meeting scheduled for the 3rd may not take place, as Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae instructed Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol on the 2nd to halt the convening procedure of the expert advisory panel.
According to the prosecution, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office notified the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, which is in charge of the investigation, that the expert advisory panel would be convened at the end of last month but would only review whether to indict former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae.
Initially, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office planned for the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jung Jin-woong) to review the indictment of two accused individuals, including Prosecutor Han, who was suspected of being involved in a conspiracy, but this plan was changed.
The investigation team continuously reported to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office that considering the ongoing investigation, including questioning related parties and analyzing materials, it was inappropriate to hold the advisory panel review itself.
A Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office official stated, "The investigation team holds the position that it is difficult to review or decide on indictment at this time since investigations are ongoing for the accused, and some have not been investigated at all," adding, "There was no proposal to exclude only the charges against a specific individual from the agenda."
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