Choo Mi-ae Urges Prosecutors in 'Choo's Investigation Command Illegality' Case to "Stay Unwavering"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] On the 4th, Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae urged the chief prosecutors at frontline prosecution offices, saying, "Do not waver and ensure that our entire prosecution organization looks solely to the people and walks the right path." This is interpreted as a response to the conclusion reached at the nationwide chief prosecutors' meeting held the previous day regarding the so-called 'prosecutor-media collusion' suspicion case, which stated that "Minister Choo's investigation directive is illegal."

On the same day in the afternoon, Minister Choo posted on her Facebook, saying, "Reform is the cornerstone of gaining the people's trust," and added, "It must never be taken for political purposes or any personal interests." She emphasized, "The accused should undergo investigation confidently so that there is no injustice, and those in charge of the investigation should conduct it according to law and principles; this is what the minister or the Prosecutor General must do."

When Minister Choo exercised her investigative directive authority regarding the 'prosecutor-media collusion' suspicion case, Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol convened the nationwide chief prosecutors' meeting the previous day. The nationwide high prosecutors and district prosecutors gathered at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong, Seoul, exchanging opinions for about nine hours.

Prosecutor General Yoon is expected to deliberate until the 6th, when the Supreme Prosecutors' Office is scheduled to report the results of the chief prosecutors' meeting, and possibly organize an official stance and deliver it to the Ministry of Justice on the same day.

It was reported that the majority opinion was that it is desirable to accept Minister Choo's directive to suspend the 'special investigation advisory panel' review process. However, many expressed the view that the minister's directive to limit Prosecutor General Yoon's investigative supervision authority and to have the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office investigation team conduct the investigation independently has legal issues and should be reconsidered.

The attendees of the nationwide chief prosecutors' meeting have not yet reached a conclusion on whether to accept or reject the minister's directive. Regarding the controversy surrounding Prosecutor General Yoon's position, the chief prosecutors reportedly agreed that it is not appropriate to decide his position rashly and that it is desirable for him to firmly maintain his post.

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