'Handonghun Assault' Jung Jin-woong: "The Act Was Official Duty... Difficult to Accept Indictment"

Jung Jin-woong, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong Jin-ung of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office, who was indicted on charges of assaulting Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon, stated that "the actions at the time were a legitimate execution of official duties."

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong's side released a statement on the afternoon of the 27th, claiming, "It is difficult to accept that the execution of official duties for the search and seizure warrant was indicted as assault." They added, "We plan to actively assert the legitimacy of the official duty execution during the upcoming trial."

Earlier that day, the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office indicted Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong without detention on charges of assault (special law on official violence) for assaulting Prosecutor Han during the search and seizure related to the Channel A case. According to the prosecution, on July 29, during the search and seizure of Prosecutor Han's mobile phone SIM card in connection with the attempted coercion case involving former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong assaulted Prosecutor Han, causing injuries requiring three weeks of medical treatment.

Official violence refers to cases where prosecutors or police officers abuse their authority during the execution of their duties to assault suspects or inflict cruel treatment, which is considered more serious than simple assault. It is punishable by up to five years imprisonment and disqualification for up to ten years. In particular, if injury is caused, there is an aggravated punishment provision, which can result in imprisonment for one year or more.

The Seoul High Prosecutors' Office summoned Prosecutor Han, the investigation team prosecutors who accompanied the search and seizure at the time, and Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong to investigate the related facts. It is reported that the internal investigation of Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong is still ongoing. Since the authority to request disciplinary action against prosecutors lies with the Prosecutor General, the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office plans to proceed with necessary follow-up procedures in consultation with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.