Choo Mi-ae Orders Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Division to Investigate Key Witness in Han Myeong-sook Case

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is responding to questions from committee members at the plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 18th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae has ordered the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department (Head Han Dong-soo) to directly investigate a key witness in the former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook case, who refused to be questioned by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

Amid a situation where Head Han of the Inspection Department has expressed his intention to conduct an inspection despite the case being assigned by Prosecutor General Yoon, causing conflict with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office leadership, Minister Chu appears to be supporting Head Han.

On the 18th, the Ministry of Justice stated, "Today at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the position of a key witness in the former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook case was revealed, stating 'I will not respond to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office investigation, but will actively cooperate if the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department conducts an inspection or investigation.' Minister Chu Mi-ae instructed that to ensure the swift progress and handling of this socially significant case, the Inspection Department should directly investigate the key witness, then receive a report on the investigation progress from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Human Rights Supervisory Office, and report on whether any illegalities or misconduct occurred during the investigation process of the former Prime Minister Han case and the results thereof."

The Ministry of Justice added, "Considering the gravity of the matter, a strict and prompt investigation will be conducted, and we will monitor the investigation results and review subsequent measures."

The key witness reportedly submitted a petition by mail to the Ministry of Justice on April 7, stating, "I have evidence that the former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook case was fabricated through a prosecutorial conspiracy, and if summoned by the Central District Prosecutors' Office, I will testify to all circumstances."

On April 17, the Ministry of Justice forwarded the petition case to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department. Head Han Dong-soo, who received the case, reported it to Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol on May 28, 41 days later. Prosecutor General Yoon then assigned the case to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Human Rights Department, which the next day delegated it to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Human Rights Supervisory Office.

Subsequently, under Prosecutor General Yoon's directive, a dedicated investigation team was formed and the investigation into the case is ongoing.

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