Suspicion of Illegal Withdrawal Cha Gyugeun... "I Do Not Want to Merge with Lee Seongyun"

Cha Gyu-geun, Director of the Immigration and Foreign Policy Headquarters at the Ministry of Justice, suspected of ordering the 'illegal travel ban' on former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] Cha Gyugeun, head of the Immigration and Foreigners Policy Headquarters at the Ministry of Justice, who was indicted in connection with the illegal travel ban case involving former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui, reportedly submitted a written opinion stating that he does not wish to have a consolidated trial with Seoul Central District Prosecutor Lee Seong-yoon.

According to the legal community on the 17th, Cha’s defense attorney submitted this opinion to the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 27 (Presiding Judge Kim Seon-il) on the 14th.

The opinion stated that "he is not an accomplice and the relevance is weak, making the conditions for consolidation insufficient." However, it added, "The prosecution’s request for consolidation is not entirely wrong, and there are complexities such as points favorable to Cha if the trials are consolidated," but also noted, "Considering the efficiency of the trial, as the proceedings could be prolonged."

Cha is accused of failing to take action despite knowing about illegal acts by prosecutor Lee Gyu-won, instructing the registration of former Vice Minister Kim’s personal information into the priority management system to monitor his travel status, and passing travel information to prosecutor Lee. Cha and prosecutor Lee had their first trial on the 7th, and the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office investigation team requested the court to consolidate the case with the trial of Prosecutor Lee.

Some suggest that since Cha is mentioned in the indictment of Prosecutor Lee’s case, there is some relevance, and the court might consider consolidating the two cases for trial. The decision on consolidation will be made by the court after hearing opinions from both the prosecution and defense and reviewing the relevant legal principles.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor Lee is accused of pressuring the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office Anyang Branch to halt the investigation into former Vice Minister Kim’s travel ban case while serving as head of the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in June 2019.