Properly United Chu Mi-ae vs Yoon Seok-yeol... Rebuttal to "Did Not Investigate" with "Slander" (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Justice Minister Chu Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl clashed once again. The conflict erupted over the investigation into the Lime Asset Management (Lime) redemption suspension incident. After the release of a prison letter from former Star Mobility Chairman Kim Bong-hyun, the Ministry of Justice stated that the prosecution had not conducted a proper investigation and was considering a separate investigation, while the prosecution immediately denied the announcement as unfounded.

The first move was made by Minister Chu. On the 19th, the Ministry of Justice announced, "From the 16th to the 18th, a direct inspection investigation was conducted on former CEO Kim regarding the Lime Asset Management case. It was confirmed that despite Kim testifying to the prosecution about allegations reported recently in the media, such as 'entertainment and bribery misconduct involving prosecutors and investigators' and 'billion-won bribery lobbying targeting opposition politicians who are former prosecutors,' the investigation into these related allegations was not properly conducted."

It added, "Although the Prosecutor General was directly involved in selecting the prosecutors for the Lime Asset Management case and repeatedly emphasized thorough investigations, there are suspicions that he did not order a thorough investigation into the misconduct of opposition politicians and prosecutors despite receiving specific reports, unlike with ruling party figures. Considering the relevance of these suspicions, the results of the ongoing inspection, and the nature of the allegations, we are reviewing the investigative body and method separately from the current inspection."

Prosecutor General Yoon counterattacked just 1 hour and 20 minutes later. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office issued a statement calling the Ministry of Justice's announcement "completely unfounded and a slanderous attack against the Prosecutor General." The office stated, "The Prosecutor General repeatedly ordered thorough investigations into the overall Lime case. In particular, after receiving reports on 'allegations involving opposition politicians,' he ordered a thorough investigation, and the matter is currently under investigation."

It further explained, "The selection of prosecutors for the Lime case investigation is basically under the jurisdiction of the Southern District Prosecutors' Office. However, in the case of prosecutors dispatched externally, decisions were made through consultations among the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, and the Southern District Prosecutors' Office, as seen recently in the Optimus case."

The statement also included somewhat harsh language calling the allegations "slander." It strongly rebutted, "Despite the Prosecutor General having ordered thorough investigations into these allegations, the Ministry of Justice's announcement, which contradicts this, is completely unfounded and amounts to slander against the Prosecutor General, making it entirely unacceptable."

The clash between Minister Chu and Prosecutor General Yoon was virtually predictable. Earlier, former Chairman Kim claimed in a handwritten prison statement that in July last year, when the Lime incident broke out, he provided about 10 million won worth of alcohol entertainment to former attorney A and three prosecutors.

On the day of Kim's revelation, Minister Chu ordered, "The Ministry of Justice should directly start an inspection to thoroughly uncover the truth." Prosecutor General Yoon also instructed the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office to promptly investigate the lobbying and cover-up allegations involving active prosecutors, which was interpreted as a move to seize the initiative.

In particular, it is known that Yoon's investigation order included specific details such as the prompt summoning and questioning of former Chairman Kim, which increased its credibility. The situation became one where the Ministry of Justice's inspection order and the Prosecutor General's investigation were in opposition. Because investigations and inspections are proceeding simultaneously on the same allegations, legal circles analyze that there is a possibility that the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution may reach different conclusions.

Meanwhile, on the 16th, former Chairman Kim claimed in his "prison statement" that he lobbied active prosecutors. Kim stated, "In July last year, through former attorney A, I provided about 10 million won worth of alcohol entertainment to three active prosecutors," adding, "At the gathering, I was introduced to prosecutors who would later join the Lime investigation team, and in fact, one of them did join the investigation team."

He also said, "Former attorney A told me, 'The talks with the person responsible for the Lime case at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office are finished. If you catch ruling party politicians and Blue House Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Kang Ki-jung, after reporting to Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, you will be allowed to stand trial on bail.'" Kim also revealed that he lobbied opposition politicians and disclosed this to the prosecution, but the investigation did not proceed properly.

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