Choo Mi-ae Targets Prosecutors for 'Prosecution Reform Failure'... "Reform Is the Only Answer"

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae publicly targeted a current prosecutor who posted a message on the prosecution's internal network implying that prosecutorial reform failed due to politicians.

On the 29th, Minister Choo shared an article on Facebook suggesting that a prosecutor conducted an excessive investigation and wrote, "Good. If you come out like this, reform is the only answer."

The issue began with former Minister Cho Kuk. On the same day, Cho posted on his Facebook, "Who is Prosecutor Lee Hwan-woo of Jeju District Prosecutors' Office, who openly criticized Minister Choo Mi-ae?" He shared the article and the reporter's post. Minister Choo responded via Facebook.

The article contained allegations that the prosecution had conducted an excessive investigation into a man who threatened to expose the misconduct of a current prosecutor in August last year. The prosecutor named in the article was Lee Hwan-woo of Jeju District Prosecutors' Office, who had posted a critical message about Minister Choo on the prosecution's internal network the day before.

On the 28th, Prosecutor Lee posted on the prosecution's internal network, Ipross, under the title "Prosecutorial Reform Has Failed," stating, "The greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment. No, I am deeply despairing," and added, "I have come to hate politics again, thinking 'Politicians are all the same after all.'"

He also directly criticized Minister Choo. Prosecutor Lee wrote, "I feel that the authority over personnel appointments, command, and inspection is being abused without hiding its purpose and intentions," and added, "I sense a will of power that, if pleased, praises endlessly, and if displeased, will suppress by any means." He concluded his post expressing concern that "In the distant future, unjust power might cunningly invoke many precedents set by the Minister of Justice in 2020 while attempting to seize control of the prosecution," and stated, "They must bear legal and historical responsibility."