Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon (left) and Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jung Jin-woong. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] On the 29th, the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office announced its position to "proceed as an internal investigation case for now" regarding Han Dong-hoon, Chief Prosecutor (47, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 27), filing a complaint and requesting an internal investigation against Jeong Jin-ung, Chief Prosecutor of the Criminal Division 1 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (51, class 29), on charges of abuse of authority.
The Seoul High Prosecutors' Office also stated that it will conduct the internal investigation directly without the involvement of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol.
On the afternoon of the same day, the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office said, "Today, a complaint and a request for internal investigation (petition) were received from Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon's legal representative," adding, "We plan to proceed as an internal investigation case for now."
It further added, "Since it was decided that the Prosecutor General would not be briefed on this case, the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office decided to proceed directly."
Earlier, as Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae stripped Prosecutor General Yoon of his authority to direct the investigation into the 'prosecutor-media collusion' case, it is interpreted that the internal investigation into the assault incident that occurred during the search and seizure related to the case will also be conducted independently by the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office without reporting to Prosecutor General Yoon.
Meanwhile, regarding the physical altercation that occurred on the same day, Chief Prosecutor Han's side claims, "It was a one-sided assault by Chief Prosecutor Jeong," whereas the investigation team argues, "Chief Prosecutor Han physically obstructed the search and seizure, and the incident occurred to prevent the deletion of information stored on the mobile phone," presenting conflicting claims.
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