Prosecutor-Turned Lawyer Kim Jong-min: "If Lee Seong-yoon Remains or Keeps Position, Prosecution Must Be Shut Down"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Lawyer Kim Jong-min, former head of the Suncheon branch of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office, posted on his social media service (SNS) Facebook account on the night of the 10th, calling for the resignation of Lee Sung-yoon, chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, who was recommended for indictment on charges of exerting pressure in the investigation of the illegal travel ban case involving former Deputy Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui.

With a new Prosecutor General expected to be appointed soon and subsequent personnel changes anticipated, attention is focused on whether voices from the legal community, including Lawyer Kim, will continue to demand a decision on Chief Lee's position following the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Investigation Deliberation Committee's recommendation for his indictment.

On his Facebook, Lawyer Kim analyzed, "The Supreme Prosecutors' Office Investigation Deliberation Committee's decision to indict Lee Sung-yoon is a confirmation of common sense that is too obvious," adding, "It confirms that sufficient evidence has already been secured and decided to proceed with indictment without detention, making further investigation unnecessary."

He continued, "Many media outlets talk about the possibility of Kim Oh-soo becoming Prosecutor General and Lee Sung-yoon remaining as chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, but the possibility is 0%," emphasizing, "Even a level 9 public official would naturally be suspended from duty and resign if indicted by the court, so the idea of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office chief remaining in office while being a defendant is absurd. If he is retained or continues as chief prosecutor, the prosecution should be shut down."

Additionally, Lawyer Kim cited past examples such as the Lee Yong-ho gate and the sponsor prosecutor scandal, stating, "There have been many precedents where high-ranking prosecutors, including those suspected of involvement, were suspended from duty and assigned as research fellows at the Judicial Research and Training Institute simply by being under investigation by the prosecution," and stressed, "After Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo's inauguration, appointments of senior prosecutors at the chief prosecutor level will serve as a barometer for prosecution operations at the end of the administration. The key issue is how to handle Lee Sung-yoon and who will be appointed as the next chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office."