"Prosecutor Coup Forces" Hwang Hee-seok Sparks Controversy by Revealing List of 14 Yoon Seok-yeol Faction Members on Facebook

Facebook capture of Hwang Hee-seok, former Director of Human Rights at the Ministry of Justice

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Hwang Hee-seok, former Director of Human Rights at the Ministry of Justice and candidate for the Open Democratic Party's proportional representation in the April 15 general election, has sparked controversy by naming 14 prosecutors, including Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, as the 'Prosecutorial Coup Forces' on Facebook.

Amid deepening conflicts between the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution over investigations into former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, adjustments to investigative authority, and recently the Lime Asset Management scandal investigation, significant repercussions are expected.

On the morning of the 22nd, former Director Hwang posted on his Facebook, titled " 2019 Year of the Earth Pig Prosecutorial State Manipulation Forces / First Public Disclosure of the Prosecutorial Coup Forces List," presenting a table listing 14 prosecutors including Prosecutor General Yoon, Yoon Dae-jin, Deputy Director of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, Yeo Hwan-seop, Chief Prosecutor of Daegu District, Han Dong-hoon, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Busan High Prosecutors' Office, and Park Chan-ho, Chief Prosecutor of Jeju District.

The list also included Shin Ja-yong, Chief of Busan Eastern District Office, Lee Doo-bong, Chief Prosecutor of Daejeon District, Song Kyung-ho, Chief of Yeoju District Office, Shin Bong-soo, Chief of Pyeongtaek District Office, Yang Seok-jo, Prosecutor at Daejeon High Prosecutors' Office, Kim Chang-jin, Head of Criminal Division 1 at Busan Eastern District Office, Ko Hyung-gon, Head of Anti-Corruption Investigation at Daegu District, Kim Tae-eun, Head of Public Investigation Division 2 at Seoul Central District, and Lee Bok-hyun, Head of Economic Crime Division at Seoul Central District.

List of prosecutors posted by former Ministry of Justice Human Rights Bureau Chief Hwang Hee-seok on Facebook / Screenshot from Facebook

He stated, "This is based on my database and experience accumulated through continuous tracking, as well as information provided by others," adding, "Many of them still remain in high positions. In 2020, we will definitely..."

He also added, "p.s Please widely share this so that the people are not harmed by the Yacha."

Yacha refers to one of the eight Buddhist guardians (Palbu) who protect the Dharma; it is a cruel ghost that flies through the sky, capturing and harming people.

Later that afternoon, former Director Hwang posted again on his Facebook, saying, "It is indeed a coup. They showed arrogance and trampling on the president's appointments, shaking the government, thinking it was their world."

He continued, "Like the 1980 military regime, and later the Hanahoe, they exchanged and pulled power among themselves, and after opening law offices, they coexisted through senior-junior relationships, preferential treatment for former officials, and secret backdoor deals. They probably wanted to continue that world," adding, "The people stopped that coup. Receiving that energy, we are now finishing the suppression. With that dedication, we will now complete the reform. We will proceed briefly but intensely."

Facebook capture of Hwang Hee-seok, former Director of Human Rights at the Ministry of Justice

Meanwhile, at a press conference for the Open Democratic Party's proportional representation candidates held at the National Assembly that day, former Director Hwang stated, "'The Cho Kuk incident' is precisely defined as a prosecutorial coup," and said, "I stand here with a new mission to complete prosecutorial reform this year after striving to suppress the coup."

Hwang, a graduate of Masan High School and Seoul National University Law School, completed the 31st Judicial Research and Training Institute course, worked as a lawyer at law firms including Gwangjang, Dongseo Partners, and Yangjae, was appointed Director of Human Rights at the Ministry of Justice in 2017, and last year was appointed head of the Prosecution Reform Promotion Support Group. He has also been active for a long time in the Lawyers for a Democratic Society, serving as deputy secretary-general and spokesperson.

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