Yoon Seok-yeol: "Politically Biased Prosecutors Are Corrupt... Election Crimes Will Be Investigated Strictly and Firmly" (Comprehensive)

National Prosecutors' Office Chiefs and Election Officers Meeting
"Full Support for Frontline Prosecutors' Convictions"
Investigation into Blue House Election Interference Allegations
Reunion with Park Chan-ho, Lee Doo-bong, and Others
Unprecedented Interview Requested by Minister of Justice Choo
Prosecutorial Reform Public Opinion Campaign Expected to Continue

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is stepping onto the podium to deliver a greeting at the meeting of nationwide district prosecutors and election-related chief prosecutors held at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol once again emphasized the 'strict investigation of election crimes' to the heads of district prosecutors' offices nationwide and election-related prosecutors ahead of the 21st general election. Prosecutor General Yoon stated, "As the Prosecutor General, I will provide full support both materially and morally so that frontline prosecutors can investigate with conviction according to the law and principles."

On the morning of the 10th, Prosecutor General Yoon presided over the 'Meeting of Heads of District Prosecutors' Offices and Chief Prosecutors in Charge of Elections Nationwide in Preparation for the 21st National Assembly Election' at the Grand Conference Room of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, urging, "Please keep in mind that each prosecutor is a guardian of the Constitution and respond strictly and firmly to election crimes, ensuring thoroughness."

The meeting was attended by heads of 18 district prosecutors' offices nationwide and chief prosecutors in charge of public investigations from 59 offices. Key figures from the 'Yoon Seok-yeol faction,' including Park Chan-ho, Chief Prosecutor of Jeju District Prosecutors' Office (former Chief of Public Investigation Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office), and Lee Doo-bong, Chief Prosecutor of Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office (former Chief of Scientific Investigation Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office), also participated. Prosecutors exchanged opinions on investigation directions and judicial handling of election-related cases occurring around the April 15 National Assembly election. The meeting continued until 4 p.m. that day.

Prosecutor General Yoon emphasized, "A politically biased prosecutor is as corrupt as a corrupt person," and added, "During the election period, please be cautious in all speech and conduct throughout the investigation initiation, progress, and handling processes to avoid any suspicion of impartiality."

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is delivering a greeting at the meeting of nationwide district prosecutors and election-related deputy chief prosecutors held at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Prosecutor General Yoon's appeal is interpreted as a strong determination to preemptively block any elements that could raise fairness disputes at the prosecution level, as this general election is held under changed systems such as the lowering of the voting age and the introduction of the semi-proportional representation system. Furthermore, during the upcoming 'nationwide tour of local prosecutors' offices,' he is expected to express this determination and continuously deliver 'warning messages' to the political circles ahead of the election. Visits by the Prosecutor General to local prosecutors' offices are a customary practice within the prosecution. Prosecutor General Yoon had not visited local prosecutors' offices due to busy circumstances, including directing investigations into major cases against the administration. Recently, as investigations into allegations of the Blue House's ordered investigations and election interference have begun to reach the final stages with indictments of related parties, it is reported that Prosecutor General Yoon has scheduled a nationwide tour.

The first visit is scheduled for the 13th in Busan. Prosecutor General Yoon will meet there with Yang Bu-nam, Chief Prosecutor of Busan High Prosecutors' Office; Kwon Soon-beom, Chief Prosecutor of Busan District Prosecutors' Office; and Han Dong-hoon, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Busan High Prosecutors' Office. The reunion with Deputy Chief Prosecutor Han is particularly noteworthy. Deputy Chief Prosecutor Han served as Chief of the Anti-Corruption and Violent Crime Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and assisted Prosecutor General Yoon in leading investigations into major cases, including the corruption case involving former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk's family and the investigation into the suspension of the inspection of former Busan Deputy Mayor Yoo Jae-soo. However, he was effectively demoted to Busan in the January personnel reshuffle of senior prosecutors.

Meanwhile, Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae, who has been embroiled in controversies such as the dismantling of the administration's misconduct investigation team and the non-disclosure of indictments, is accelerating efforts for prosecutorial reform. Although the conflict between the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution entered a phase of reconciliation after the sudden meeting between Chu Mi-ae and Yoon Seok-yeol on the 6th, both continue to take 'quiet but steady' actions from their respective positions. Minister Chu voluntarily requested an interview with the high prosecutors' press corps on the 11th. In the interview held at the Government Complex Gwacheon that afternoon, Minister Chu is expected to reveal new positions and plans regarding prosecutorial reform and respond to questions about a series of controversies. Depending on the tone of Minister Chu's remarks toward the prosecution at this event, the conflict with the prosecution may resurface prominently.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.