United Future Party: "Assault on a Sitting Chief Prosecutor... An Unprecedented Incident"

"Choo Mi-ae, Using Investigation as a Pretext for Politics... Regrettable"

On the 22nd, members of the National Assembly Judiciary Committee affiliated with the United Future Party held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, pointing out issues with the provisional enforcement decree of the Prosecutors' Office Act and Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's access to materials related to Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's family. From left to right: Jeon Ju-hye, Yoo Sang-beom, Jo Su-jin./Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kang Joo-hee] On the 29th, the United Future Party expressed regret, calling it an "unprecedented incident," regarding the physical clash that occurred between Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong Jin-ung of the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office investigation team and Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon during the seizure and search of Han's mobile phone amid the investigation into the 'media-prosecution collusion' allegations.

United Future Party lawmakers Yoo Sang-beom and Cho Soo-jin said at the National Assembly Communication Office in the afternoon, "It is regrettable that such an unfortunate incident occurred during the seizure and search process."

Lawmaker Yoo stated, "The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, effectively directed by Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General Choo Mi-ae, conducted the seizure and search just five days after the Investigation Review Committee recommended non-prosecution for Prosecutor Han," adding, "Moreover, they created an unprecedented incident involving the assault of a sitting prosecutor."

He continued, "Prosecutor Han is an experienced investigator familiar with the procedures and processes of seizure and search," and criticized, "The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's clumsy claim that such a prosecutor pretended to make a phone call to destroy evidence contained in the mobile phone is nothing short of a comedy."

He further accused, "Minister Choo Mi-ae is engaging in politics under the pretext of investigation," and "While verbally advocating for prosecutorial reform, she is actually attempting to tame the prosecution."

Regarding the 'media-prosecution collusion' case, in which a former Channel A reporter and Prosecutor Han are suspected of collusion, Lawmaker Yoo urged, "We call for a special prosecutor to uncover the real collusion," and warned, "If this is not accepted, the United Future Party will push for a special prosecutor to reveal the substantive truth."

Earlier that day, Prosecutor Han's side announced that they had filed a complaint with the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office against Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong, claiming that Jeong assaulted Han during the seizure and search of Han's mobile phone conducted by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office investigation team.

In response, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office stated, "Due to the physical obstruction by the person subject to seizure, the responsible deputy chief prosecutor fell and is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital," and countered that Prosecutor Han was actually obstructing the seizure and search, which necessitated restraint.

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