Civic Group Files Complaint Against Choo Mi-ae to Prosecution... "Investigation of Media-Prosecution Collusion Infringes on Prosecutors' Autonomy"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] A civic group has filed a complaint with the prosecution accusing Justice Minister Chu Mi-ae of abusing her authority by infringing on the autonomy and neutrality of the prosecution investigating the 'media-prosecutor collusion' allegations.

The civic group Economic Democracy 21 announced on the 11th that it had filed a complaint against Minister Chu for abuse of authority with the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office. The Eastern District Prosecutors' Office is also investigating allegations of special leave privileges during the military service of Minister Chu's son, Seo Mo (27).

They claimed, "Minister Chu violated the Prosecutors' Office Act by effectively directing and supervising prosecutors other than the Prosecutor General in relation to the investigation of the media-prosecutor collusion."

They added, "Minister Chu demanded that the Prosecutor General ensure that the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' investigation team does not receive direction or supervision from higher authorities such as the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, causing the Prosecutor General to perform duties beyond his obligations," stating this could be seen as abuse of authority.

Economic Democracy 21 also raised concerns regarding the transfer of Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon (47, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 27), a key figure in the media-prosecutor collusion case, to a research position at the Judicial Research and Training Institute. They questioned whether the provisions of the Prosecutors' Office Act, which require the Prosecutor General's opinion to be sought before recommending a prosecutor's appointment to the President, were properly followed.

The group stated, "If this case is left unattended, the Prosecutor General will effectively become a figurehead, making it increasingly difficult to maintain the prosecution's political neutrality and autonomy," and added, "We urge a thorough investigation by the prosecution to clearly define the limits of the Justice Minister's authority."

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