Jin Hyewon Appointed to Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, Jo Sujin Says "It's Like Giving a Commendation"

"Sending Jin Hyewon to the Corruption Investigation Office for Prosecutors for the desertion of Choo Mi-ae's son... It's frustrating"

Assemblywoman Jo Su-jin of the United Future Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Jin Hyewon, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Daegu District Prosecutors' Office (44 years old, 34th class), has been transferred to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office. On the 27th, Jo Sujin, a member of the Future United Party, criticized Prosecutor Jin, calling her a "pro-Moon Jae-in female prosecutor who was 'considerately' transferred to the investigation office of 'Choo Mi-ae's son' instead of being disciplined."

Jo said in a post on her Facebook that day, "Today, another 'Choo Mi-ae-style' prosecution personnel reshuffle was carried out. There are many shocking details, but the fact that Prosecutor Jin from Daegu District Prosecutors' Office is moving to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office stands out noticeably."

She added, "Since the 'Cho Kuk incident,' Prosecutor Jin has defended Cho Kuk and criticized Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol. She has acted as a 'pro-Moon (친문) prosecutor.' Right after the death of former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, she posted a photo of herself linking arms with the late mayor and said, 'I confess. I sexually harassed two adult men simultaneously.' She mocked and ridiculed the victims of Mayor Park's sexual harassment," she pointed out.

She continued, "It is unacceptable and should never happen that an active prosecutor enforcing the law leads 'secondary victimization.' If the Ministry of Justice were a normal public organization, Prosecutor Jin should have been immediately given at least a warning," she argued.

Jo said, "However, the Ministry of Justice under Minister Choo did not discipline her but instead changed Prosecutor Jin's workplace to Seoul. It is practically like giving her a commendation," adding, "The new workplace of Prosecutor Jin, the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, is where the investigation into Minister Choo's son's 'emperor desertion' allegations has been stalled for eight months."

Finally, Jo said, "She will probably work passionately for Minister Choo. It is frustrating and bleak that such people are entrusted with 'the rule of law' in reality," she confessed.

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jin Hyewon of the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office posted a photo on Facebook on the 13th of last month showing her arm-in-arm with the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, along with the caption "power-based sexual crime," raising claims that a current prosecutor is committing secondary harm against the woman who accused Mayor Park. Photo by Yonhap News Agency · Prosecutor Jin Hyewon's Facebook

Previously, Prosecutor Jin caused controversy by posting about the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon.

On the 15th of last month, Prosecutor Jin posted a photo on her Facebook linking arms with the late mayor and wrote, "I confess to power-related sexual crimes. Since I, a feminist, said I sexually harassed, it is sexual harassment," sparking a controversy over secondary victimization. In response, the Korean Women Lawyers Association sent an official letter to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office urging disciplinary action against Prosecutor Jin.