[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] On the 4th, Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae told the chief prosecutors, "Do not waver and ensure that our entire prosecution organization looks only to the people and walks the right path."
On the afternoon of the same day, Minister Chu wrote on her social media service (SNS) Facebook, "Reform is about distinguishing right from wrong. Reform is about resolving things in a natural order."
This appears to be a message to the participants of the nationwide chief prosecutors' meeting convened by Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol the previous day, following Minister Chu's exercise of her investigative directive authority regarding the 'prosecutor-media collusion' suspicion case investigation.
Minister Chu said, "Reform is the cornerstone of gaining the people's trust," adding, "It must never be taken for political purposes or any personal interests."
She emphasized, "The accused should undergo investigation confidently without feeling wronged, and those in charge of the investigation must conduct it according to law and principles; this is the role of the minister and the prosecutor general."
Earlier, the nationwide chief prosecutors gathered at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong, Seoul, and spent about nine hours discussing whether to accept or reject the minister's directive.
Prosecutor General Yoon is expected to deliberate until the 6th, when the Supreme Prosecutors' Office is scheduled to report the results of the chief prosecutors' meeting, and possibly organize an official stance to deliver to the Ministry of Justice on the same day.
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