Prosecutors Clear Witnesses and Investigation Team Members of Alleged Perjury Coaching in Former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook Trial

Facebook Post by Chief Prosecutor Im Eun-jung: Current Prosecutor Accused of "Leaking Official Secrets"

Im Eun-jeong, Research Officer for Inspection Policy at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] In the trial of former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook's illegal political funds case, the prosecution investigation team was suspected of coaching witnesses to commit perjury, but the prosecution has dismissed charges against the investigation team members and witnesses at that time.

On the 5th, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office stated, "Regarding the complaints of false testimony, coaching of false testimony, and aiding false testimony involving two witnesses related to past trials and current and former prosecution officials, after a reasonable decision-making process, it was judged that there is insufficient evidence to recognize the charges."

However, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office added, "Regarding the misconduct of prosecution officials revealed during the past investigation process, further review and handling are planned."

This case arose when Choi, who appeared as a witness for Han Man-ho, former CEO of Hanshin Construction and the money donor in the 2011 illegal political funds trial of former Prime Minister Han, submitted a petition to the Ministry of Justice last April stating that his testimony at the time, that he heard Han say he gave money to the former Prime Minister, was false testimony coerced by the prosecution.

Recently, Im Eun-jung, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Policy Research Officer, attempted to investigate Choi and others whose statute of limitations was nearing expiration, but on the 2nd, Prosecutor General Yoon appointed Heo Jeong-su, head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Division 3, as the chief prosecutor.

Earlier, Im, who had disclosed this process on her Facebook, posted on her Facebook that day, "It is not surprising since the conclusion was decided when I was transferred, but I understand how irrational the 'reasonable decision-making process' is."

On the same day, Park Cheol-wan, head of the Andong Branch Prosecutors' Office, posted on the prosecution's internal network titled "Regarding Deputy Chief Prosecutor Im Eun-jung's Facebook post," stating, "Im had the opinion that the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Division 3 should not file criminal charges, while she herself had the opinion to file criminal charges and prosecute. Revealing this fact constitutes a breach of official secrets," and criticized, "Im's Facebook post is a serious crime, and she must bear corresponding criminal and disciplinary responsibilities."