Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae (left) and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] On the 24th, Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae filed disciplinary charges against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and suspended him from his duties.
Minister Chu announced this during an emergency briefing held at 6 p.m. at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office press room in Seocho-dong, Seoul.
Speaking as the announcer, Minister Chu said, "Today, with a very heavy heart, I report to the public the filing of disciplinary charges and suspension from duty against the Prosecutor General," adding, "The Ministry of Justice has conducted direct inspections regarding various allegations of misconduct against the Prosecutor General, and as a result, confirmed multiple serious and grave allegations of misconduct."
She further confirmed the following: ▲ inappropriate contact with media company owners ▲ illegal surveillance of trial courts in major cases such as the former Minister Cho Kuk case ▲ obstruction of inspection and investigation to protect close aides related to the Channel A case and former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook case, and trading of inspection-related information with the media ▲ violation of cooperation obligations and obstruction of inspection during the face-to-face investigation of the Prosecutor General ▲ serious damage to the dignity and trust as Prosecutor General regarding political neutrality.
She continued, "Therefore, as the Minister of Justice, the highest supervisor of prosecutorial affairs, I have judged that it is no longer acceptable for the Prosecutor General to perform his duties as Prosecutor General, and today I have filed disciplinary charges against the Prosecutor General and ordered the suspension of his execution of duties."
Article 7, Paragraph 3 of the Prosecutor Disciplinary Act stipulates that disciplinary charges against the Prosecutor General must be filed by the Minister of Justice. Additionally, Article 8, Paragraph 2 of the same law allows the Minister of Justice to order suspension from duty of the accused if deemed necessary.
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