Key Issue for the Prosecutor-Media Collusion Review Committee: Is There a Transcript +α or Not?

Lee Dong-jae, Han Dong-hoon, and Lee Cheol Likely to Submit Statements
Prosecutor's Office Opines "Attempted Coercion Difficult"
Deliberation Results Expected Late Afternoon

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Prosecution Investigation Deliberation Committee, scheduled to convene at 2 p.m. on the 24th, will determine whether there is evidence of a "collusive relationship" between prosecutors and the media, which is a prerequisite for the so-called "prosecutor-media collusion." If evidence exists, opinions recommending the continuation of the investigation and prosecution will be gathered; if not, the prosecution's investigative momentum will be significantly weakened. Although the prosecution is not obligated to follow the "recommendation" decided by the committee's resolution, it must provide separate justification to reject it.

The deliberation committee, held at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, will be chaired by former Supreme Court Justice Yang Chang-soo and attended by 15 members from various sectors of society. It will examine whether the investigation into the prosecutor-media collusion allegations?specifically, that the prosecution (Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon) and the media (former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae, among others) colluded to threaten a specific individual in order to dig up misconduct of a particular politician?is justified and whether prosecution of the involved parties is necessary.

The necessity of prosecution is based on the legitimacy of the investigation, which depends on whether the prosecution can present evidence of collusion between Chief Prosecutor Han and former reporter Lee. The Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (led by Chief Prosecutor Jeong Jin-ung), former reporter Lee, Chief Prosecutor Han, and former Value Invest Korea (VIK) CEO Lee Cheol (who claims to be the victim of threats and requested the deliberation) are each expected to submit written opinions and present their views.

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office is also reported to submit an opinion stating that it is difficult to apply the charge of attempted coercion against former reporter Lee and others. The deliberation committee will decide during the meeting whether to consider this opinion in its judgment.

Regarding evidence of collusion, the investigation team is known to consider the recorded conversation between Chief Prosecutor Han and former reporter Lee on February 13 at Han’s office in the Busan High Prosecutors' Office as grounds to acknowledge collusion charges. The key part is where Chief Prosecutor Han hears about former reporter Lee’s reporting plans and says, "That's worth trying," and "If you get caught doing something like that, so be it." However, even among experts who have reviewed this part of the recording, opinions are divided between it being a "normal conversation" and "evidence of collusion." Many interpret it as not a definitive smoking gun proving collusion between the two. Attention is focused on whether the prosecution will present another "smoking gun" beyond this recording. The committee’s decision is expected to be announced late in the afternoon on the same day.

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