Korean Bar Association Statement: "Reconsider Disciplinary Request and Suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol"

Lee Chan-hee, President of the Korean Bar Association. / Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] The Korean Bar Association (President Lee Chan-hee) has issued a statement urging reconsideration of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's disciplinary request and suspension order against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol.

On the same day, the Bar Association released a statement titled "Urging Reconsideration of the Suspension and Disciplinary Request Against the Prosecutor General," calling for Minister Choo's reconsideration.

The Bar Association stated, "There have been occasional conflicts between the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor General, but reaching the point of suspension and disciplinary request through legal procedures is unprecedented in constitutional history."

It continued, "The Minister of Justice announced at a press conference regarding the disciplinary request against the Prosecutor General that serious and grave allegations were confirmed through direct inspection of the Prosecutor General. However, some reasons have already been disclosed through the media and confirmation hearings, and the newly raised reasons have not been supported by clear evidence convincing enough to justify suspending the Prosecutor General's duties."

The Bar Association added, "Of course, the case of judge surveillance is a very sensitive matter and may be controversial as to whether it falls within the scope of prosecutorial information gathering duties. However, since this also depends on the content of personal information and the method of collection, a clear and thorough investigation must precede any suspension or disciplinary action."

It further emphasized, "In particular, suspension measures can have serious impacts on the entire prosecution organization and the public, so it is appropriate to handle them carefully after sufficient time and lawful inspection to ascertain the facts. We are concerned that the decision may have been made too hastily."

Finally, the Bar Association expressed, "We deeply regret the Minister of Justice's hasty suspension of the Prosecutor General's execution of duties and disciplinary request without presenting clear and substantial evidence related to misconduct, and we urge reconsideration."