Prosecutor General Yoon Arrives at Supreme Prosecutors' Office... "I Will Uphold Constitutional Spirit and Rule of Law" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] "Rapid decision, grateful to the judiciary."

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol has returned to work. It has been a week since Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae issued an order to suspend his duties. Prosecutor General Yoon stated, "I am grateful to the judiciary for making a swift decision that allowed me to return to work quickly."

On the 1st, the Seoul Administrative Court, Administrative Division 4 (Presiding Judge Cho Mi-yeon) partially accepted Yoon's request for a suspension of execution, which he filed in protest against Minister Chu's order to suspend his duties.

Previously, on the 24th of last month, Minister Chu claimed to have uncovered six allegations of misconduct, including "illegal surveillance of the judiciary," during the Ministry of Justice's inspection, and requested disciplinary action against Prosecutor General Yoon, suspending his duties. This was an unprecedented event in constitutional history where a sitting Prosecutor General's duties were suspended. In response, Yoon filed a request for suspension of execution of the suspension order with the court the following day. The court held a hearing the day before, listening to both parties' opinions. The hearing started around 11 a.m. and ended approximately one hour later at 12:10 p.m., but the court continued reviewing related records and ultimately decided to grant Yoon's request that day. However, the effect of this court ruling is limited to the period before the Ministry of Justice's disciplinary committee makes its disciplinary decision. If the disciplinary committee decides on severe penalties such as dismissal or removal, Yoon will lose his position again within a day.

After the court's decision, Prosecutor General Yoon immediately went to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. He arrived at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office 40 minutes after the court's ruling and met with executives including Deputy Prosecutor General Cho Nam-gwan at the first-floor lobby. Upon arriving at the lobby at 5:13 p.m., Yoon said, "I am grateful to the judiciary for making a swift decision that allowed me to return to work so quickly." He added, "I promise to do my best to uphold the constitutional spirit and the rule of law as a public official of the Republic of Korea, more than anyone else among our members."

On the same day, the Inspection Committee also resolved that the disciplinary request, suspension of duty, and referral for investigation against Prosecutor General Yoon were all inappropriate. It was reported that all attending inspection committee members agreed unanimously on this opinion. Although the Inspection Committee's resolutions or recommendations are not binding, they are expected to place considerable pressure on Minister Chu and the disciplinary committee members when deciding on severe disciplinary actions such as dismissal or removal against Yoon.

Meanwhile, the disciplinary committee has been postponed to the 4th. The Ministry of Justice announced through a notice that "to ensure sufficient procedural rights and defense rights, the request of the Prosecutor General was accepted, and the Prosecutor Disciplinary Committee will be postponed to this Friday (the 4th)."

Regarding the court's decision, the Ministry stated, "It is limited to the judgment on the temporary measure of suspension of duties, and we respect the decision." However, it emphasized, "Whether the disciplinary charges are acknowledged and the disciplinary measures will be decided through a thorough review by the Prosecutor Disciplinary Committee in accordance with laws and procedures." Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice plans to soon carry out follow-up personnel changes regarding Deputy Minister of Justice Ko Ki-young, who submitted his resignation to prevent the disciplinary committee meeting.

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