Channel A Case 'Han Dong-hoon Disposition' Department Head Meeting... "Investigation Team's Opinion is Correct"

Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Deputy Chief and Senior Prosecutors Meeting Convened... Investigation Team "Should Dismiss Charges"
Chief Prosecutor Lee Jeong-su Orders Reinforcement of Evidence for 'Forensic Impossibility' of Korean Mobile Phones

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] Senior prosecutors at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office held a meeting regarding the disposition of Han Dong-hoon, Deputy Director of the Judicial Research and Training Institute (Chief Prosecutor), in connection with the 'Channel A case.' It is reported that most of those attending the meeting expressed the opinion that Chief Prosecutor Han should be cleared of charges.

On the morning of the 6th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office held a senior prosecutors' meeting presided over by Prosecutor Lee Jung-soo. The meeting was attended by the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Deputy Chief Prosecutors of the Central Prosecutors' Office, subordinate senior prosecutors, and members of the investigation team. It is known that Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jin Jae-sun was absent due to testing positive for COVID-19.

The Criminal Division 1 (led by Senior Prosecutor Lee Seon-hyuk), which investigated the Channel A case, explained the progress of the investigation at the meeting and reported that Chief Prosecutor Han should be cleared of charges. The executives reportedly agreed with the investigation team's opinion.

At the meeting, Prosecutor Lee instructed the investigation team to reinforce the grounds for the report that forensic analysis of Chief Prosecutor Han's mobile phone was impossible. Once the investigation team completes the reinforcement work according to Prosecutor Lee's supplementary instructions, Prosecutor Lee is expected to decide on the disposition of Chief Prosecutor Han.

Currently, the effect of the Ministry of Justice Minister's exercise of investigative authority excluding the Prosecutor General's command remains in place, so Prosecutor Lee, not Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo, holds the final authority to make the decision.

This case began in April 2020 when the Citizens' Coalition for Democratic Media filed a complaint against former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae and Chief Prosecutor Han based on MBC's report on 'media collusion.'

Earlier, on the 4th, the investigation team formally reported to Prosecutor Lee the plan to clear Chief Prosecutor Han of charges.