'SamyeonChuga'... Four Inspection Cards, Choo's All-Round Pressure

Suspicions of Concealing Rhyme Inspection Misconduct, Meeting with Chosun and Others' Owners, Inspection Orders... Dismissal Push and Warnings Also Issued

[Asia Economy Reporters Baek Kyunghwan and Choi Seokjin] The National Assembly inspection, where the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor General took turns strongly criticizing each other, ultimately ended with 'four disciplinary investigation cards.' A warning was also issued that dismissal of the Prosecutor General could be pursued depending on the results of the investigation.

According to the Ministry of Justice on the 27th, the four matters currently under investigation ordered by Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol are ▲allegations of concealment during the reporting process of prosecutor misconduct related to the Lime investigation ▲the reporting system of misconduct allegations against opposition politicians ▲the dismissal without indictment regarding the 2018 Optimus investigation request by the Korea Communications Agency ▲and inappropriate meetings with the owners of Chosun Ilbo and JoongAng Ilbo.

During the comprehensive inspection of the Ministry of Justice by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee the previous day, in response to Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Jong-min's question about the Optimus dismissal, asking, "Wasn't the investigation improperly conducted by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, which Prosecutor General Yoon was leading at the time?" Minister Chu responded, "If the Prosecutor General answered as if 'it was handled by the Southern District Prosecutors' Office, so what is the problem?' that would be a serious mistake," criticizing Yoon's approach to the investigation.

Especially just before the inspection ended, she obtained additional time to answer and reiterated, "The Optimus case is an important matter, and since it was requested by a government agency due to concerns about harm to ordinary citizens, we will strictly investigate whether there were any wrongdoings." It is known that the Ministry of Justice is internally conducting an investigation to prepare for the disciplinary inquiry and plans to start the disciplinary process accordingly.

Minister Chu also disclosed that the issue of 'inappropriate meetings with media owners,' which has been controversial since Prosecutor General Yoon's appointment, is currently under investigation. Yoon was suspected of meeting media owners such as Bang Sang-hoon, president of Chosun Ilbo, and Hong Seok-hyun, chairman of JoongAng Holdings, during his tenure as head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. Yoon responded at the previous Supreme Prosecutors' Office inspection by saying, "I cannot talk because there is the other party involved." Minister Chu pointed out, "This could be a violation of the Prosecutors' Code of Ethics." She added, "The investigation is currently underway, and once the results are out, we will report to the Judiciary Committee members."

Investigations are also ongoing regarding the reporting system of misconduct allegations related to prosecutors involved in the Lime case and opposition politicians. On the 22nd, Minister Chu ordered an inquiry into whether there were any attempts to conceal or cover up during the process of investigating 'misconduct by prosecutors and prosecution investigators' and 'investigation of opposition politicians who are former prosecutors,' and whether Prosecutor General Yoon was involved.

Legal circles generally view the inspection as somewhat successful in cornering Prosecutor General Yoon. If even one of the disciplinary cases is confirmed to be true, it could lead to a recommendation for dismissal. Minister Chu also hinted at the possibility of dismissal when asked by ruling party lawmakers during the inspection, saying, "We need to see the results of the investigation."

Moreover, Prosecutor General Yoon is currently unable to intervene in cases such as Lime and Optimus due to Minister Chu's exercise of investigative authority. Ultimately, whether through disciplinary action or investigation, the situation requires waiting for the results. However, regarding Yoon's dismissal of the Optimus-related case during his tenure as head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, the detailed explanation posted by the then lead investigator clarifying why the case was not reported to Yoon has created some room for Yoon to be cleared of suspicion. Kim Yoo-cheol, former head of the 7th Criminal Division (currently head of Wonju Branch), who dismissed the case, posted on the prosecution's internal network right after the inspection, fully denying allegations of 'inadequate or minimized investigation.' He explained, "In the case of embezzlement, the investment funds were used according to the asset management company's investment plan within the scope not violating the investment proposal, and there was no financial loss to the Communications Agency, making it difficult to recognize the charges."

Additionally, Kim clarified regarding the reporting to Prosecutor General Yoon (then head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office) and the Optimus defense attorney Lee Kyu-cheol, which was controversial during the inspection, stating, "Neither I nor the lead prosecutor met or communicated with this attorney, and there was no report or instruction given to the then chief prosecutor or first deputy chief prosecutor regarding this case." Regarding allegations of violating approval regulations, he explained, "Considering the four-month investigation and supervision period, the case was handled within about three months, so it was not a violation, and cases dismissed without indictment with non-sequential case numbers have been handled by division chief approval."