'Baek Woon-gyu's Lawyer' to 'Yoon Seok-yeol Disciplinary Committee'... Fairness Damaged by Procedural Disputes

Legal circles raise conflict of interest concerns... Cheong says "No problem"

Newly appointed Deputy Minister of Justice Lee Yong-gu is arriving at the Government Complex Gwacheon on the 3rd. 2020.12.3 [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] Just two days before the Ministry of Justice's disciplinary committee meeting for Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, it has come to light that Lee Yong-gu, the newly appointed Vice Minister of Justice, was the defense attorney for former Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Baek Woon-gyu, a key figure in the so-called 'nuclear power plant scandal,' causing a stir. Since he is scheduled to participate as an ex officio member in the Ministry of Justice disciplinary committee on the 4th, concerns about conflicts of interest and fairness have arisen.

According to political circles on the 3rd, Vice Minister Lee had been representing former Minister Baek since September last year until recently, and reportedly submitted his resignation only on the day he was appointed Vice Minister of Justice. Former Minister Baek is considered a central figure in the prosecution's ongoing investigation related to the Board of Audit and Inspection's audit results on the 'validity of the early shutdown of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1,' which began in September last year. The first task Prosecutor General Yoon undertook upon returning to duty was to order the request for arrest warrants for Ministry of Industry officials accused of obstructing the audit at that time.

Despite being fully aware of this, President Moon Jae-in effectively appointed Vice Minister Lee as a 'one-point' personnel move targeting the 'Yoon Seok-yeol disciplinary committee.' The legal community criticizes this not only as a conflict of interest but also as a government attempt to block the prosecution's nuclear power plant investigation. There is speculation that Prosecutor General Yoon's side will file a motion to disqualify the disciplinary committee member.

The Blue House maintains that there is no problem. A senior Blue House official stated that they were aware of the fact in advance and that "(the personnel screening department) Minjung thoroughly reviewed it and concluded there was no issue." Another Blue House official retorted, "What is wrong with a lawyer defending a client?" and claimed, "The (prosecution's nuclear power plant) investigation itself is nonsensical. It is a case fabricated by the prosecution to shake government policy."

When appointing Vice Minister Lee, President Moon reportedly urged that the disciplinary committee proceed 'fairly and justly.' The Blue House emphasized that Vice Minister Lee would not serve as the disciplinary committee chair and repeatedly stressed 'procedural legitimacy.' However, despite focusing on procedural legitimacy, controversy over fairness regarding Vice Minister Lee's participation in the disciplinary committee due to his history as Baek Woon-gyu's defense attorney is expected to be unavoidable.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice reported that Vice Minister Lee stated on the day, "There are many important current issues, but there have been criticisms that the most fundamental procedural justice has not been upheld," and added, "I will handle my duties fairly, transparently, and neutrally, in accordance with the common sense of the people." Furthermore, Vice Minister Lee said, "Please refrain from prejudging the outcome and watch closely," and promised, "I will devote myself to my duties solely based on due process and legal principles."

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