Conservative Group's Wreath Protest Moved from Supreme Prosecutors' Office to Eastern District Prosecutors' Office

Patriotic Patrol Team Installs 22 Wreaths Near Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office
"Until Prosecutor Jin Hyewon Apologizes and Chief Prosecutor Kim Gwanjeong Explains"
"District Office Has No Authority to Remove Them"

Wreaths installed near the back door of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office / Photo by Aeguk Patrol Team

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Over 350 wreaths installed by conservative groups in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. These wreaths were set up to support Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol but sparked much controversy and were eventually voluntarily removed. However, on the day the wreaths supporting Prosecutor General Yoon were taken down, wreaths criticizing Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae and others reappeared at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office.

According to the conservative-leaning group Patriotic Patrol Team, 22 wreaths were installed at the back gate of the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office in Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul on the 7th. The Patriotic Patrol Team initially placed three wreaths around 7 a.m. on the 2nd and continued sending wreaths to this location until the 6th. The wreaths bore phrases such as "Eastern District Prosecutors' Office Nightclub," "Eastern District Prosecutors' Office Ordinary Prosecutors, Stay Strong," along with criticisms targeting Minister Choo, Eastern District Prosecutors' Office Chief Kim Kwan-jung, and Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jin Hye-won.

The Patriotic Patrol Team explained, "We will continue to install wreaths until Prosecutor Jin apologizes and Chief Prosecutor Kim clarifies the decision to dismiss the investigation without indictment against Minister Choo, her son Seo, and others regarding the special leave allegations." They added, "We have filed a protest for the use of wreaths as demonstration tools until the end of this month, so the district office does not have the authority to remove them."

Prosecutor Jin had posted on her Facebook on the 24th of last month regarding the wreaths installed in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, stating, "Organized crime groups flaunt their power in their territories by taking over nightclubs and hotels, often using many pink and red flowers at openings," and added, "I thought the Shin ○ Family Gang had opened a Supreme Prosecutors' Office nightclub in Seocho-dong."

Additionally, on September 28, the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Deok-gon) decided not to indict Minister Choo, her son Seo, former aide A, and battalion regional commander B regarding the special leave allegations.

The prosecution stated regarding Seo's military absence charges, "The initial sick leave, extended sick leave, and regular leave were all approved by the regional commander," and "It is difficult to see that Seo had the intention to evade military duties as he was verbally informed." Since the charges against Seo were not established, Minister Choo, the aide, and military personnel were also judged to have no charges. Two individuals, the unit support officer and support commander, were referred to the Army Headquarters Prosecutor's Office due to their active military status.

Earlier, on the 2nd, the conservative group Liberty Solidarity voluntarily removed over 350 wreaths supporting Prosecutor General Yoon installed in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. Seocho-gu had sent an administrative enforcement warning letter on the 26th of last month to Liberty Solidarity and the Patriotic Patrol Team, stating, "Due to interference with urban aesthetics and public morals, please voluntarily remove the wreaths by October 28."

The wreaths in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office began to be displayed from the 19th of last month. When Minister Choo exercised her investigative directive regarding the Lime Asset Management lobbying allegations, supporters started sending wreaths to cheer Prosecutor General Yoon. The wreaths contained phrases such as "Stay strong, Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol" and "Prosecutor General Yoon has the support of the people."

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