Yoon Seok-yeol, Prosecutor General, Meets with Chief Prosecutors Nationwide to Hear Opinions on 'Collusion between Media and Prosecution' Investigation Supervision

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol has decided to gather opinions from chief prosecutors nationwide on whether to accept Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae's investigation directive regarding the 'media-prosecution collusion' suspicion case.

According to the prosecution on the 2nd, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office has notified prosecution offices at all levels that from the 3rd, chief prosecutors nationwide will be called for an 'executive meeting.'

The expert investigation advisory panel originally scheduled to be held on the 3rd will not take place.

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office is not disclosing the location, time, or attendees of the meeting. However, based on precedent, it is expected that most chief prosecutors in charge of prosecution offices at various levels will attend.

A Supreme Prosecutors' Office official explained, "As one method to widely gather diverse opinions, we will hold several executive meetings divided into groups."

The meetings are reportedly planned to be conducted separately for high prosecutors, metropolitan area district prosecutors, and district prosecutors of provincial offices outside the metropolitan area.

At the meetings, opinions will be gathered on whether to accept Minister Chu's directive issued that day to suspend the convening procedure of the expert investigation advisory panel handling the 'media-prosecution collusion suspicion' and to refrain from directing the investigation.

This is interpreted as a cautious approach to decide on acceptance after hearing the opinions of chief prosecutors nationwide, given that the exercise of the Minister of Justice's investigation directive authority is related to the independence of the prosecution.

There is also an interpretation that Prosecutor General Yoon, cornered by pressure for resignation from the ruling party and the Minister Chu's exercise of investigation directive authority, is making a strategic move to overcome the crisis through the trust of chief prosecutors nationwide.