Yoon Seok-yeol, Prosecutor General, "Channel A-MBC Prosecutor-Journalist Collusion Allegations, Must Not Lose Proportionality and Fairness"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol has instructed the frontline to conduct a balanced investigation regarding the ongoing probe into the alleged collusion between prosecutors and the media.

According to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 29th, after reviewing the request and execution status of search warrants for Channel A and MBC, Prosecutor General Yoon repeatedly emphasized to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, "All related issues must be investigated thoroughly and in a balanced manner," and instructed, "Please be especially careful not to receive criticism for losing proportionality and fairness."

The Criminal Division 1 (Chief Prosecutor Jung Jin-woong) of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, investigating the alleged collusion between prosecutors and the media, has been attempting to conduct a search at Channel A headquarters since the previous day but is reportedly still facing standoff with affiliated reporters.

This search was conducted to secure the original recording files containing conversations between reporter Lee and the chief prosecutor, as reported, as well as investigative materials related to SillaJen. However, since the morning of the previous day, dozens of affiliated reporters have been blocking the prosecutors' entry, demanding a halt to the search, causing difficulties in the investigation. A search of a media company by investigative authorities is effectively the first in 31 years since the Safety Planning Department's search of Hankyoreh Newspaper in 1989.

Besides Channel A headquarters, the prosecution also conducted searches at the home of Channel A reporter Lee and others the previous day. All these searches were completed by the afternoon of the previous day.

Although a search warrant was requested for MBC headquarters, which reported on the allegations, it was reportedly dismissed by the court. MBC is currently facing defamation lawsuits filed against the responsible editors and reporters related to the report on former Deputy Prime Minister of Economy Choi Kyung-hwan's investment allegations in SillaJen.

At present, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office is simultaneously investigating several cases: the case where reporter Lee of Channel A and an unidentified chief prosecutor were accused in relation to MBC's report; the case where former Deputy Prime Minister Choi filed complaints against MBC personnel; and the case where Choi Kang-wook, a proportional representative elected member of the Open Democratic Party, was accused of defaming a Channel A reporter via Facebook.

On the 31st of last month, MBC reported that a Channel A legal team reporter, boasting of his close relationship with Prosecutor General Yoon's closest chief prosecutor, demanded the former CEO of Value Investment, Lee Cheol, who is currently imprisoned in connection with the SillaJen case, to provide information on misconduct by Yoo Si-min, director of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation.

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