Jonamgwan Also Says "Prosecutor General's Disposition Must Be Withdrawn"... Yoon's Injunction Hearing Today

Cho "Prosecutorial Reform Must Also Win the Hearts of Members"
Psychological Results Expected Possibly Late Today

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Cho Nam-gwan, Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office (currently Acting Prosecutor General), known as part of the so-called 'Choo Mi-ae Line' within the prosecution, has officially submitted an opinion requesting the Ministry of Justice to withdraw the suspension order against the Prosecutor General. Amid the prosecution turmoil (檢亂) opposing Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's 'attack on Yoon Seok-yeol' from senior prosecutors to rank-and-file prosecutors, the expression of opinion by a close aide is a painful blow to Minister Choo. Meanwhile, Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol has begun a legal battle against Minister Choo.

On the morning of the 30th, Deputy Prosecutor Cho posted on the internal prosecution network, stating, "If the suspension order against Prosecutor General Yoon proceeds, a critical crisis may arise where the prosecution reform, which the Moon Jae-in administration has pursued as its top national agenda, will be nullified," and appealed to Minister Choo, "Please take a step back for the sake of prosecution reform."

Deputy Prosecutor Cho served as Director of the Prosecutor's Office under Minister Choo and was promoted to Senior Prosecutor in August, taking the position of Deputy Prosecutor General. It is evaluated that his stance reflects a consensus that the current situation is not simply a 'Choo-Yoon conflict' but a crackdown aimed at undermining the independence of the prosecution and paralyzing the organization. Previously, collective actions such as meetings of rank-and-file prosecutors have continued nationwide in opposition to the suspension order against Prosecutor General Yoon.

Deputy Prosecutor Cho opened his statement by saying, "As Acting Prosecutor General, I cannot remain silent, so I am posting this," emphasizing, "Prosecution reform will be ineffective without winning the hearts of the entire prosecution staff, including about 2,100 prosecutors and 8,000 investigators and administrative personnel. If prosecution members are treated only as targets of reform, no matter how good the laws and systems are, they will be empty words." He also pointed out, "If this measure proceeds as is, it will not win the hearts of the prosecution members but rather result in hostility."

The hearing on the suspension of the enforcement of the suspension order against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol was held on the 30th at the Seoul Administrative Court. On this day, Yoon's legal representatives, lawyers Lee Wan-gyu (left) and Lee Seok-woong (center), are entering the court. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

Prosecutor General Yoon, supported within the prosecution, has taken the first step in a legal battle that determines his fate. The Administrative Court of Seoul, Administrative Division 4 (Presiding Judge Mi-yeon Jo), held a hearing at 11 a.m. on the same day regarding Yoon Seok-yeol's request for suspension of duty. Prosecutor General Yoon did not appear in court, but his legal representatives, lawyers Wan-gyu Lee (Dongin Law Firm) and Seok-woong Lee (Seowoo Law Firm), attended. On the respondent side, representing Minister Choo, lawyers Ok-hyung Lee and Geun-ho Lee (both from Gonggam Law Firm) appeared.

The hearing was held behind closed doors. The focus of the hearing was on whether the suspension decision was procedurally justified. After hearing both sides, the court will review the submitted materials and decide whether to approve the request. If the suspension order is judged to cause 'irreparable harm' to Prosecutor General Yoon, the court may accept his application. The result could be announced as early as late afternoon on the same day.

However, regardless of the court's decision, Minister Choo is expected to proceed with convening the Ministry of Justice's disciplinary committee on the 2nd of next month to approve the dismissal of Prosecutor General Yoon. Minister Choo had previously expressed her determination to push forward with the disciplinary committee despite collective opposition from the prosecution, stating that "the allegations of misconduct against Prosecutor General Yoon are serious."

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