Yoon "I'm not sure if it's right for me to come forward and explain"... Dispute expected over inspection and disciplinary actions
[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol refused to attend the prosecutor disciplinary committee meeting held on the morning of the 10th, stating that the disciplinary discussion against him is "unfair and illegal."
Yoon deliberated on whether to attend until the day before the disciplinary committee meeting and finally decided not to participate, saying, "I am not sure if it is appropriate for me to appear and explain in such a procedure," his legal representatives conveyed on the day. Accordingly, lawyers Lee Wankyu, Lee Seok-woong, and Son Kyung-sik attended the disciplinary committee as special defense attorneys.
The disciplinary committee began at 10:30 a.m. at the Ministry of Justice building in Gwacheon. Before attending, lawyer Lee Wankyu told reporters, "I plan to do my best to explain to the disciplinary committee members that the disciplinary action against the Prosecutor General is illegal and unfair." The disciplinary committee members, whose names were withheld by the Ministry of Justice from Yoon’s side, entered the meeting room avoiding reporters waiting in the building.
Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae requested the convening of the disciplinary committee citing six disciplinary reasons, including allegations that Prosecutor General Yoon illegally surveilled the trial panels of major cases. After the disciplinary committee chairman declared the start of deliberations, the position of the requester, Minister Choo, was read aloud by the Ministry of Justice representatives. It is expected that Yoon’s side will file motions to disqualify some disciplinary committee members. Having confirmed the members of the disciplinary committee at this meeting, Yoon’s side may submit multiple disqualification requests. They have already expressed their intention to file a disqualification motion against Deputy Minister of Justice Lee Yong-gu.
The disciplinary committee will decide whether to accept the disqualification motions, and if the meeting resumes, it will proceed with formal hearings, witness applications and acceptance, and statements from the respondent. Currently, Yoon’s side has requested seven witnesses. There is interest in which of Yoon’s witnesses the disciplinary committee will accept.
Intense disputes are expected between both sides over the issues. Yoon insists that the grounds for disciplinary action do not exist. At the early stage of the situation when Minister Choo announced the suspension of duties, it was considered likely that a severe disciplinary action would be imposed on Yoon. However, with the Inspection Committee and the Administrative Court siding with Yoon, and with growing opposition to disciplining the Prosecutor General both inside and outside the prosecution, it is also observed that disciplinary committee members feel burdened to decide on severe penalties such as dismissal.
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