'Yoon Seok-yeol Disciplinary Committee' First Round Ends After Fierce Battle... Continuation on the 15th (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] The unprecedented prosecutor disciplinary committee, convened after the Minister of Justice filed a disciplinary request against the Prosecutor General, concluded after more than 9 hours and 30 minutes. Due to the extensive disciplinary charges and numerous witness requests, the session will continue on the 15th. However, since all recusals requested by Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's side were dismissed, it is expected to be difficult to change the atmosphere.

On the 10th, the Ministry of Justice Prosecutor Disciplinary Committee began a closed deliberation at 10:30 a.m. on the 7th floor of the Ministry of Justice building in Gwacheon. Although the Minister of Justice chairs the disciplinary committee, since Minister Chu Mi-ae is the disciplinary requester, Professor Jeong Han-jung of the Graduate School of Law at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, an external member, took on the role of chairperson. Professor Jeong, originally from Gwangyang, Jeollanam-do, previously served on the Ministry of Justice's Legal and Prosecutorial Reform Committee and the Prosecutorial Past Affairs Committee in 2017. In addition to Professor Jeong, Professor Ahn Jin from Chonnam National University Law School attended as an external member. There are a total of three external members on the disciplinary committee, but one was absent due to personal reasons.

Prosecutor General Yoon's side was represented by three special attorneys: Lee Wankyu, Lee Seok-woong, and Son Kyung-sik. Attorney Lee stated upon attending the disciplinary committee, "I plan to do my best to explain to the committee members that the disciplinary action against Prosecutor General Yoon is illegal and unjust." He also said he would "fully address" procedural fairness issues.

After the meeting began, Yoon's side argued that Minister Chu's convening of the disciplinary committee was a violation, but the committee members did not accept Yoon's side's opinion.

The subsequent recusal requests were also dismissed. Yoon's side requested recusals for four individuals?Deputy Minister of Justice Lee Yong-gu, Prosecutorial Bureau Chief Shim Jae-cheol, and external members Professors Jeong and Ahn?questioning their impartiality. After receiving the recusal requests, the disciplinary committee asked the special attorneys to leave the meeting room and discussed the recusals in private.

Subsequently, the committee dismissed Yoon's side's recusal requests against Deputy Minister Lee and the two external members, deciding that Yoon's side was abusing the right to request recusals. Prosecutorial Bureau Chief Shim voluntarily filed a recusal and withdrew from the committee.

Conflicts between the two sides continued. Yoon's side requested to record the entire deliberation process, but the committee only allowed recording during the witness examination, citing that a stenographer was recording the entire process. However, the committee unusually disclosed its internal deliberation process to the media. The committee stated, "Since this deliberation is a matter of great public interest, we decided to inform the public within the limits allowed by law," and added, "We will provide information about the deliberation situation to the extent permitted by law in the interest of the public's right to know."

However, the disciplinary committee ultimately did not reach a decision regarding Prosecutor General Yoon on that day. Since Yoon faces six charges and Yoon's side requested additional witness Lee Jeong-hwa, a prosecutor from Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office, the committee decided to hold another session. Additionally, although the committee dismissed all of Yoon's side's recusal requests, it accepted seven witnesses to guarantee Yoon's right to defense. The committee also summoned Prosecutorial Bureau Chief Shim Jae-cheol as a witness ex officio.