Yoon Seok-yeol: "Documents Are Work Reference Materials... Abuse of Power Charge Does Not Apply"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol (right)
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Sung-pil] Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol stated on the 27th regarding the allegation of 'judiciary surveillance,' which was raised as one of the reasons for his suspension, that "the documents were work-related materials without any illegal intent." Concerning the Ministry of Justice's request for an investigation by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office the previous day on charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights, he expressed the position that "no crime has been established."

In a statement released through his legal representatives on the same day, Prosecutor General Yoon said, "The documents were work reference materials used by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division and Public Investigation Division as guidance reference materials related to the trial performance of frontline prosecutors handling important cases," adding, "They were not created for continuous monitoring, surveillance, or to impose disadvantages on the subjects." He emphasized, "It was necessary to understand the trial court's trial proceeding style for the smooth conduct of trials."

Yoon's side also claimed that the documents were not managed continuously but were a 'one-time' creation. They stated that the materials were prepared as a one-time work reference regarding the trial style of newly assigned trial courts following the court and prosecution personnel reshuffle in February. They reiterated, "The materials consisted solely of publicly available information such as legal professional directories and brief content obtained from some prosecutors involved in trials." The lawyers particularly dismissed the entries related to the 'List of Judges Causing Controversy,' stating, "This was information heard from the relevant trial prosecutors as argued by defense attorneys in court," and added, "It was recorded because it was deemed necessary for the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's command department to be aware of it."

Prosecutor General Yoon announced that he has appointed lawyers Lee Seok-woong (Law Firm Seowoo) and Lee Wan-gyu (Law Firm Dongin), who are handling his administrative litigation defense, for the disciplinary review scheduled by the Ministry of Justice on the 2nd of next month. The lawyers said, "We have applied to inspect and copy the records related to the disciplinary review and are currently awaiting a response from the Ministry of Justice." They emphasized, "Inspection and copying are procedurally necessary for sufficient explanation and exercise of the right to defense." Regarding whether Prosecutor General Yoon will attend the disciplinary review, they said, "It has not been decided yet."

Regarding the Ministry of Justice's request for an investigation to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on charges of abuse of authority the previous day, Yoon's side stated, "Since the reference materials were prepared as necessary for the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's guidance and support duties related to trial work, the crime of abuse of authority is not established."