[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution recently dismissed a series of cases in which civic groups accused President Yoon Seok-yeol of abuse of authority.
According to the legal community on the 17th, the Anti-Corruption and Violent Crime Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jung Yong-hwan) dismissed five cases filed by the civic group Judicial Justice Citizens' Action (Sasehaeng) accusing President Yoon of abuse of authority and other charges. Dismissal is a measure to close a case without substantive judgment when the conditions for litigation are not met.
These cases are related to allegations that President Yoon arbitrarily used about 14 billion won in special activity funds while serving as Prosecutor General, forcibly conducted a targeted audit on the early shutdown of the Wolseong Unit 1 nuclear reactor together with then-Audit Board Chairman and lawmaker Choi Jae-hyung, abused prosecutorial power during the investigation of suspicions of Blue House interference in the Ulsan mayoral election, and intentionally declined prosecution of allegations of admission fraud involving the daughter of former Liberty Korea Party floor leader Na Kyung-won.
In addition, the Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kang Beom-gu) dismissed a case filed by Sasehaeng in March accusing President Yoon of obstructing the inspection of the 'Channel A case' by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department during his tenure as Prosecutor General.
The Central District Prosecutors' Office explained that the dismissal of President Yoon's accusation cases was due to the usual reasons for dismissal. The grounds for the accusations were merely rumors and speculation, and no concrete circumstances were found to initiate an investigation, which falls under the dismissal reasons stipulated in the 'Prosecutorial Case Handling Regulations.'
Even if the prosecution investigates, President Yoon cannot be subject to judicial proceedings due to the president's immunity from prosecution. Investigative agencies such as the prosecution cannot indict President Yoon even if they find evidence of criminal charges during his term. Prior to the prosecution, the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (Gongsoocheo) also dismissed a case accusing President Yoon of obstructing the search of the Shincheonji Church headquarters and falsifying vision test data during his tenure as Prosecutor General.
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