Prosecutor General Yoon, Again on His 'My Way' Despite Inspection Pressure

Second Meeting with Prosecutors Investigating the 'Gapjil Incident'... Public Activities for Two Consecutive Days Despite Inspection Announcement

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is meeting with frontline prosecutors for the second consecutive day. Despite the unprecedented inspection of the sitting Prosecutor General, which has escalated tensions with the Ministry of Justice to the highest level, he appears to be continuing efforts to strengthen internal unity.

According to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 24th, Prosecutor General Yoon held a luncheon meeting with prosecutors investigating so-called 'gapjil cases' targeting socially vulnerable groups. A total of three luncheon meetings are scheduled between Prosecutor General Yoon and prosecutors involved in investigations related to the protection of socially vulnerable groups.

This meeting is the second, following the first on the 17th. Six prosecutors who investigated cases such as the assault of a security guard by residents, forced sexual harassment of a reappointment candidate by a screening committee member, unfair labor practices, and wage arrears attended the first meeting. At that time, Prosecutor General Yoon emphasized, "Actively responding to crimes that abuse superior positions unfairly and protecting socially vulnerable groups in subordinate positions by enforcing criminal law fairly is the most fundamental duty entrusted to the prosecution."

It is known that prosecutors from frontline prosecution offices investigating 'socially vulnerable' cases will attend the luncheon, as in the first meeting.

Prosecutor General Yoon is expanding meetings with frontline prosecutors despite face-to-face inspection pressure from Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae. This is his fifth public activity this month alone, starting with leadership strengthening for chief prosecutors at the Jincheon Legal Research and Training Institute on the 3rd, followed by leadership for deputy chief prosecutors on the 9th, and a meeting related to the protection of socially vulnerable groups on the 17th.

On the previous day, he held a luncheon meeting with six prosecutors responsible for reforming the 'trial-centered investigation structure,' ordering a shift in the investigation focus from report preparation to prosecution and trial. In particular, he presented the prosecution reform direction that "investigations must also be restructured to be trial-centered." During the meeting, Prosecutor General Yoon stated, "Trials are the most important aspect of prosecutorial work, and investigations can be considered preparation for trials," emphasizing, "Ultimately, the prosecutor's battlefield is the courtroom." He plans to hold one more meeting related to 'socially vulnerable' cases. Separately, policy meetings with frontline prosecutors will continue.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice may attempt another face-to-face investigation of Prosecutor General Yoon within this week. After the first attempt at an on-site investigation on the 19th was canceled, the Ministry expressed its intention to conduct a face-to-face investigation of Prosecutor General Yoon, stating, "There can be no sanctuary regardless of rank or status." However, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office is raising issues with the Ministry of Justice's public disclosure of the inspection and the attempt to conduct a face-to-face investigation without preparation time, so whether the actual face-to-face investigation will take place remains uncertain.