Sitting Chief Judge: "Choo Mi-ae's Prosecutor Personnel Moves Directly Contradict Constitutional Spirit"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] A sitting chief judge publicly criticized Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's recent personnel reshuffle of senior prosecutors, saying it "directly contradicts the spirit of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea."
Kim Dong-jin (51, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 25), chief judge at the Seoul Central District Court, wrote on his Facebook account on the 11th of this month, "I want to talk about the dismantling of the investigation team related to regime corruption centered on Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl," and argued, "Even if political power, obtained through the people's choice, is strong at some point, there are legal norms that must be strictly observed according to the spirit of the Constitution and constitutional order."
He continued, "No matter how powerful the ruling regime is, if there is suspicion of violating the legal order prescribed by the laws of the Republic of Korea, it is the spirit of democracy and the rule of law as stipulated by the Constitution of the Republic of Korea that the matter should be investigated by investigative agencies and the truth judged in court."
Earlier, on the 8th, Minister Choo carried out a personnel reshuffle transferring many prosecutors in charge of investigating the 'allegations related to former Justice Minister Cho Kuk' and the 'allegations of the Blue House's interference in the Ulsan mayoral election' to provincial offices.
Hot Picks Today
Taking Annual Leave and Adding "Strike" to Profiles, "It Feels Like Samsung Has Collapsed"... Unsettled Internal Atmosphere
- There Is a Distinct Age When Physical Abilities Decline Rapidly... From What Age Do Strength and Endurance Drop?
- "One Comment Could Lead to a Report": 86% of Elementary Teachers Feel Anxious; Half Consider Resignation or Career Change
- "After Vowing to Become No. 1 Globally, Sudden Policy Brake Puts Companies’ Massive Investments at Risk"
- On Teacher's Day, a Student's Gifted Cake Had to Be Cut into 32 Pieces... Why?
In September 2014, Chief Judge Kim caused a stir by posting a critical article calling the ruling that acquitted former National Intelligence Service Director Won Sei-hoon of violating the Public Official Election Act while sentencing him to probation in the first trial of the 'NIS online comment manipulation case' a "Jirok-wima (指鹿爲馬, calling a deer a horse) judgment." At that time, the Supreme Court deleted Kim's post ex officio and held a judicial disciplinary committee that imposed a two-month suspension on him.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
