Jo Guk Pours Sharp Criticism on the Prosecution

"Prosecutors Have Abused Their Overwhelming Authority"
Appearing in Fourth Trial Over Alleged Cover-Up of Inspection

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who was indicted on charges including family corruption and allegations of covering up an inspection, is heading to the courtroom to attend a continuation trial held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu on the morning of the 3rd, responding to questions from the press.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk sharply criticized the Korean prosecution on the 3rd ahead of the trial related to the 'Yoo Jae-soo supervision cover-up allegation,' saying, "The Korean prosecution has broader and stronger authority than any prosecution office in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)."

Former Minister Cho appeared at the fourth hearing of the case held under the Criminal Division 21 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Miri) and said, "The reason terms such as targeted and separate investigations, sweeping investigations, and Indian rainmaking ritual-style investigations are being circulated is because the prosecution has been abusing such powerful authority."

Cho stated, "The prosecution not only monopolizes the right to prosecute and the right to request warrants but also holds its own investigative authority, allowing it to discretionarily decide whom to investigate, when, and for what charges, and whom to prosecute for which crimes," adding, "It is common for them to use political circles and the media to achieve those goals." He further argued, "The only institution that can control the abuse of prosecutorial power and protect citizens' human rights is the court."

Regarding a question about the mutual criticism between him and former investigator Kim Tae-woo on the day of the previous hearing, calling each other 'people who broke principles,' Cho did not respond. Kim, a former special inspection team member and the first to expose the supervision cover-up case, appeared as a witness that day. Kim was summoned as a witness at Cho's third hearing held on the 19th of last month but could not attend due to a scheduling conflict with his own trial at the Suwon District Court.

At the hearing where Kim appears, it is expected that there will be a dispute during the examination regarding the special inspection team's supervisory authority and the discretionary power of the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs.

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