Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol Calls Emergency Chief Meeting to Discuss Acceptance of Chu Mi-ae's Investigation Directive

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] On the 2nd, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office convened an emergency chiefs' meeting and is considering how to respond to Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae's exercise of investigative command authority regarding the 'prosecutor-media collusion' allegations.

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol convened a chiefs' meeting immediately after Minister Chu exercised the investigative command authority and is discussing whether to accept her command.

On the same day in the morning, Minister Chu issued a written order to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to suspend the convening of the expert advisory panel assessing the appropriateness of the 'prosecutor-media collusion' investigation and to guarantee the independence of the investigation.

The grounds for exercising the investigative command authority included objections raised within the prosecution during the convening and member selection process of the expert advisory panel, and the fact that the expert advisory panel was convened redundantly while the case was under review at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office chiefs' meeting.

The meeting was convened around lunchtime but is expected to continue until late in the day considering the sensitivity of the matter.

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office stated that Prosecutor General Yoon's position, including whether to accept Minister Chu's investigative command authority, may not be decided within the day.

Preparation for the expert investigative advisory panel meeting has also apparently been suspended for the time being, making it difficult to hold the meeting as scheduled on the 3rd.