Ministry of Justice Moves to Replace Prosecutor Lee Gyu-won Over 'Kim Hak-ui Case False Report'

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Gyu-won of the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office, who was indicted on charges of involvement in the illegal travel ban of former Deputy Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui, is attending a trial held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 15th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] It has been confirmed that the Ministry of Justice has decided to replace Lee Gyuwon (45, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 36), Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office, in the first half personnel reshuffle of prosecutors to be announced on the 25th.

According to Yonhap News on the 23rd, the Ministry of Justice initially considered retaining Prosecutor Lee, but shifted to a replacement policy considering that he is currently on trial as a defendant and that follow-up disciplinary procedures by the Ministry of Justice remain. Prosecutor Lee has been seconded to the Fair Trade Commission since September last year. The secondment period is two years.

Prosecutor Lee has been on trial since April last year, charged with involvement in the illegal deportation of former Ministry of Justice Vice Minister Kim Hak-ui. In December last year, he was additionally indicted on charges of preparing a false report during the investigation of the former Vice Minister Kim's 'villa sexual bribery allegations.'

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Committee recently decided on a severe disciplinary action equivalent to a six-month suspension for Prosecutor Lee. The final disciplinary level will be confirmed by the Ministry of Justice Prosecutor Disciplinary Committee after the Prosecutor General requests the disciplinary action. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office reportedly conveyed to the Ministry of Justice that replacing Prosecutor Lee's position in this personnel reshuffle is inevitable, citing difficulties in normal work performance.

If the Ministry of Justice accepts this opinion, Prosecutor Lee is likely to be assigned to a non-investigative department such as the Judicial Research and Training Institute.