Choo Mi-ae on 'Prosecutor-Channel A Collusion Allegation': "Investigation According to Principles"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is seen spraying hand sanitizer and then gathering her bag while attending the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 25th. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae hinted again at the possibility of an internal investigation regarding the alleged collusion between a Channel A reporter from a comprehensive programming channel and a high-ranking prosecutor.

On the 3rd, during her visit to the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office to attend the '72nd Anniversary Jeju 4.3 Victims Memorial Ceremony,' Minister Choo stated, "All citizens are equal before the law and have the right to be protected by it," adding, "Investigations will be conducted according to the law and principles concerning various suspicious points."

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office reported to the Ministry of Justice the day before that "the reporter in question showed notes summarizing interviews with legal and financial sector figures to a source and also played recorded phone conversations; however, the parties involved in the notes and recordings are not the chief prosecutor named in the MBC report," based on the results of a preliminary investigation. The Ministry of Justice has requested a re-investigation of this allegation by the prosecution.

Minister Choo previously mentioned these suspicions on a broadcast media outlet, stating, "There is a recording, and it is quite detailed, so this is not an issue that can be overlooked," and added, "If, after receiving a report on the facts, it is determined that reasonable doubt cannot be excluded, it will be necessary to conduct investigations through internal audits or other methods."

On the 31st of last month, MBC reported that a Channel A reporter had coercively pressured Lee Cheol, former CEO of Value Investment Korea (VIK) and former major shareholder of Shinilgen, to provide information about the misconduct of Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation. MBC also revealed that the reporter emphasized his close relationship with a high-ranking prosecutor at the chief prosecutor level, who is a close associate of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl.

Meanwhile, Minister Choo visited the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office on the same day and met with Park Chan-ho, head of the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office, and other officials. She plans to visit the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office, Jeju Correctional Institution, and Jeju Immigration Office in succession.

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