Ministry of Justice Launches Investigation into Prosecutor General Han Dong-hoon over 'Media-Prosecution Collusion' Allegations... Han Dong-hoon Pledges to Reveal the Truth to the End (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Ministry of Justice has effectively excluded Han Dong-hoon, a close aide to Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol who is under investigation for the so-called 'prosecutor-media collusion' allegations, from his duties and has initiated an internal inspection.

On the 25th, the Ministry of Justice announced that it plans to appoint Han Dong-hoon, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Busan High Prosecutors' Office (age 47, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 27), as a research fellow at the Judicial Research and Training Institute effective the 26th, and commence an internal inspection.

The Ministry of Justice explained that it will conduct the inspection of Prosecutor Han directly in accordance with the inspection regulations.

While the primary authority for inspecting prosecutors lies with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department, the Ministry of Justice's inspection regulations stipulate that in cases attracting significant public attention where fairness cannot be guaranteed by the prosecution's own inspection, the Minister of Justice may order a direct inspection by the Ministry of Justice.

Regarding the personnel transfer, the Ministry of Justice stated that it took into account the difficulty of performing frontline investigative supervisory duties.

Since Prosecutor Han recently changed to the status of a suspect, the Ministry of Justice reportedly decided to proceed with the inspection, judging that he could be subject to disciplinary action regardless of whether prosecution is initiated.

Prosecutor Han is suspected of conspiring in the alleged intimidation of Lee Cheol, former CEO of Value Invest Korea (VIK) (age 55, currently incarcerated), by Channel A reporter Lee (age 35), who was investigating the ShillaJen case in February and March, demanding that he report corruption by Yoo Si-min, director of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation.

Regarding the Ministry of Justice's recent measures, Prosecutor Han stated, "Although it is difficult to accept, I will fulfill my duties as a public official wherever I am. I believe that if an unbiased and 'fair investigation' is conducted, my innocence will soon be confirmed, and I will reveal the truth to the end."

The Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jung Jin-woong) registered Prosecutor Han earlier this month as a suspect for attempted coercion, seized his mobile phone for analysis, and is considering summoning him for questioning.

Regarding reporter Lee, a request for an arrest warrant was submitted to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. However, the prosecution leadership largely holds the opinion that the criminal charges are not substantiated, and no conclusion has been reached.

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol delegated the investigative supervision of Prosecutor Han, considered a close aide, to Deputy Chief Prosecutor Koo Bon-seon, who presides over a chiefs' meeting involving five prosecutors.

Additionally, Prosecutor General Yoon accepted a petition from reporter Lee's side requesting that external legal experts review the decision on whether to prosecute, and on the 19th, decided to convene a professional investigative advisory panel.

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