[Timeline] From the Escalation of the Conflict Between Chu Mi-ae and Yoon Seok-yeol to Job Exclusion

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl (right)
[Image source=Yonhap News]

March 2020

31 / MBC reports allegations of 'media-prosecutor collusion' involving former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae and Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon

April

6 / Citizens' Coalition for Democratic Media files a complaint against reporter Lee Dong-jae and others at Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office

8 / Human Rights Department of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office begins investigation into allegations under Chief Prosecutor Yoon's orders

13 / Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office assigns the case to Criminal Division 1

28 / Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office conducts a search and seizure at Channel A headquarters

29 / Chief Prosecutor Yoon orders Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office to conduct a balanced investigation

June

2 / Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office conducts search and seizure of mobile phones of reporter Lee and legal team leader reporter Bae Mo

4 / Chief Prosecutor Yoon delegates investigation instructions related to the case to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office chiefs' meeting

14 / Lee's side files a petition requesting convening of a professional investigation advisory group, citing lack of trust in the investigation team

16 / Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office conducts search and seizure of Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon's mobile phone

17 / Prosecutor Han issues a statement claiming "Channel A reporter used a false name"

19 / Supreme Prosecutors' Office decides to convene a professional advisory group

25 / Ministry of Justice transfers Prosecutor Han to the Judicial Research and Training Institute as a research fellow and begins direct inspection. Channel A dismisses reporter Lee.

29 / Minister Chu criticizes the convening of the professional advisory group as a "bad precedent"

30 / Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office investigation team requests the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to suspend the convening of the professional advisory group and to grant an independent status equivalent to a special prosecutor. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office rejects the request.

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is explaining the reasons for the disciplinary request and suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol regarding the inspection results at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office press room in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 24th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

July

2 / Minister Chu exercises investigative command authority, ordering suspension of the advisory group's convening and cessation of Chief Prosecutor Yoon's command over the investigation team

3 / Chief Prosecutor Yoon convenes a nationwide prosecutors' meeting to discuss response to the minister's investigative command

6 / Supreme Prosecutors' Office reports to Chief Prosecutor Yoon the prosecutors' meeting's conclusion that the advisory group's convening should be stopped and an independent special prosecutor introduced

7 / Minister Chu urges Chief Prosecutor Yoon to promptly implement the command as stated

8 / Minister Chu issues a final ultimatum to Chief Prosecutor Yoon, demanding a response by 10 a.m. on the 9th. Chief Prosecutor Yoon proposes forming an independent investigation headquarters led by Kim Young-dae, Seoul High Prosecutors' Office chief

October

16 / Former Star Mobility Chairman Kim Bong-hyun releases a handwritten statement claiming he entertained current prosecutors with alcohol. Minister Chu orders an inspection

17 / Chief Prosecutor Yoon orders investigation into allegations of prosecutors being entertained with alcohol

19 / Minister Chu exercises investigative command authority over Lime lobbying allegations and Chief Prosecutor Yoon's family cases

22 / National Assembly Judiciary Committee holds a hearing on the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. Chief Prosecutor Yoon states, "Legally, the Prosecutor General is not subordinate to the Minister"

26 / National Assembly Judiciary Committee holds a hearing on the Ministry of Justice. Minister Chu states, "There is command and supervision authority over the Prosecutor General"

November

16 / Ministry of Justice Inspection Office contacts Chief Prosecutor Yoon's secretary, requesting preferred schedule. Supreme Prosecutors' Office refuses to respond

17 / Ministry of Justice attempts to deliver a visit investigation notice to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office via two ordinary prosecutors. Supreme Prosecutors' Office refuses to accept

18 / Ministry of Justice sends the visit investigation notice to Chief Prosecutor Yoon by mail. Supreme Prosecutors' Office returns the notice

19 / Ministry of Justice inquires again about the visit investigation through the Prosecutor General's secretariat. Supreme Prosecutors' Office effectively refuses. Ministry of Justice cancels the visit investigation plan for Chief Prosecutor Yoon

24 / Minister Chu announces suspension of Chief Prosecutor Yoon from duty and disciplinary request

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol arriving at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 20th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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