The Day Han Dong-hoon Went to Jincheon... Chu Mi-ae: "Completing the Corruption Investigation Office Completes Prosecution Reform"

Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon Transferred to the Jincheon Headquarters of the Legal Research and Training Institute

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is leaving the Ministry of Justice at the Government Complex Gwacheon in Gyeonggi-do around lunchtime on the 14th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Han Dong-hoon, Chief Prosecutor (Research Fellow at the Legal Research and Training Institute), who is under investigation for the so-called 'prosecutor-media collusion' allegations, was transferred from the Yongin branch of the Legal Research and Training Institute to the Jincheon main office on the 14th. On the same day, Choo Mi-ae, Minister of Justice, urged to accelerate the operation of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (Hugae), saying, "The completion of Hugae is the completion of prosecutorial reform."

Minister Choo mentioned on her Facebook that Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, along with Kim Jong-min and Shin Dong-geun, supreme council members, visited the Hugae office in the Government Complex Gwacheon, and said, "It has been 24 years since discussions began in the National Assembly, and the Hugae, which the people have longed for, must be completed as soon as possible."

She emphasized, "The Gwacheon Hugae has been waiting for its owner for three months," adding, "Following the opinion of President Moon Jae-in, a human rights lawyer who asked for Hugae to become a model investigative agency, the investigation process, procedures, and methods of Hugae will serve as a model for other investigative agencies."

She continued, "We will do our best to overcome the current situation where the composition of the Chief Recommendation Committee is blocked and to ensure that the anti-corruption agency for public officials can sail smoothly."

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (left), visited the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gong-su-cheo) office building set up at the Government Complex Gwacheon on the afternoon of the 14th to inspect the facilities. In the center is Choo Mi-ae, Minister of Justice, and on the right is Nam Ki-myeong, head of the Gong-su-cheo Establishment Preparation Team.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Ministry of Justice transferred Chief Prosecutor Han from a research fellow at the Yongin branch of the Legal Research and Training Institute in Gyeonggi to a research fellow at the Jincheon main office in Chungbuk. Accordingly, Chief Prosecutor Han has already changed his workplace three times this year.

In January, Chief Prosecutor Han was appointed from head of the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to deputy chief prosecutor at the Busan High Prosecutors' Office. At the end of June, when he came under investigation for the 'prosecutor-media collusion' allegations, he was moved to the Yongin branch of the Legal Research and Training Institute as a measure to exclude him from duty.

The Ministry of Justice explained, "Research fellows originally belong to the Jincheon main office, but some of them have been working at the Yongin branch due to commuting issues."

However, inside and outside the prosecution, there are suspicions that Chief Prosecutor Han's recent criticism of Minister Choo may have led to this personnel move.

On the 12th, during the Ministry of Justice's audit at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, when asked about the investigation status of the 'prosecutor-media collusion' allegations, Minister Choo revealed, "We are unable to perform forensic analysis because we do not know the password of Chief Prosecutor Han's mobile phone seized by the prosecution."

Minister Choo also pointed out Chief Prosecutor Han, saying, "Considering his status and the reliability of the investigation, cooperating with the investigation and revealing the truth is necessary for his honor."

When a member of the People Power Party asked, "Does that mean more time is needed until the investigation results come out?" Minister Choo responded, "If he does not provide the password, can the investigation proceed?" thereby shifting the responsibility for the investigation delay onto Chief Prosecutor Han.

Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon. [Photo by Yonhap News]

After the Ministry of Justice's audit, Chief Prosecutor Han stated in an interview with a media outlet, "I wonder why the principle of prohibition of disclosure of suspect facts or the public relations code, which Minister Choo has emphasized as a trump card, is completely ignored in this case," and criticized, "Minister Choo remains silent about the essence of this case: the prosecutor-media collusion, unlawful search and seizure, and KBS's false report." Along with this, he expressed his intention to appear before the National Assembly as a witness to explain the related allegations if summoned.

Meanwhile, Chief Prosecutor Han has been under investigation for the attempted coercion allegations involving former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae, but the prosecution has yet to clarify any conspiracy relationship.