Jin Joong-kwon to Han Dong-soo, who criticized Yoon Seok-yeol: "Cho Kuk's faction? What are you talking about?"

In February, Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and Han Dong-hoon, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Busan High Prosecutors' Office, are shaking hands. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized Han Dong-su, head of the Inspection Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, calling him a "remnant of Cho Kuk."

On the 15th, Jin shared an article quoting Han's remarks on his Facebook, saying, "Wasn't this person a supporting actor in Channel A's political conspiracy?" He added, "They suspend someone who hasn't even been indicted from duty but can't suspend someone who has been indicted? What on earth are they talking about?"

Earlier, on the 15th, Han criticized Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol on his Facebook for sending an official letter to the Ministry of Justice, calling the suspension of Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong Jin-woong of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office "an inappropriate measure."

Han further explained the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office's decision to indict Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong, stating, "The circumstances, the defendant and suspect, the handling process and results are sufficiently unusual and special in the history of the prosecution." He cited reasons including "the use of force during the execution of the warrant by the prosecutor, which is expected to lead to intense disputes over guilt or innocence in the upcoming trial, and concerns that the investigation of the suspect and the trial overseen by Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong may be affected."

Han also said, "Considering that the suspect is a close aide of the Prosecutor General, and that the Ministry of Justice's order to exclude the Prosecutor General from the related case and guarantee the independent investigation of the investigation team was issued, I proposed discussing this matter at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office chiefs' meeting, but it was not accepted."

According to Han, he raised objections to the suspension request, but Prosecutor General Yoon ignored them. It is known that Han raised his objections before Yoon sent the official letter to the Ministry of Justice on the 6th requesting the suspension of Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong. Han claims that afterward, he was excluded from duty and removed from the approval line, and the official letter requesting suspension was drafted and submitted to the Ministry of Justice without his approval.

Meanwhile, the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office indicted Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong on charges of abuse of authority without detention on the 27th of last month. After no personnel action was taken by the Ministry of Justice following the indictment, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office sent an official letter to the Ministry requesting the suspension of Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong. The Ministry of Justice pointed out, "There are serious procedural issues, such as the head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department officially raising objections and being excluded from approval."

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