[On-site Sketch] Ministry of Justice Holds Disciplinary Committee for Prosecutor General Yoon, Supporters of Chu and Yoon Protest... Committee Members Ultimately Do Not Appear

Protesters in front of the Government Complex Gwacheon on the morning of the 10th, where the disciplinary committee for Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is being held. Photo by Choi Seok-jin

[Asia Economy reporters Choi Seok-jin and Park Joon-yi] In front of the Government Complex Gwacheon, where the Ministry of Justice is located and where the disciplinary committee for Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is being held, supporters opposing Yoon's disciplinary action were seen protesting here and there from early morning on the 10th.

Even before 8 a.m., vehicles draped with banners such as "Resign Chu Mi-ae," "Chu Mi-ae destroys the rule of law! Yoon Seok-yeol protects the rule of law! Disciplinary committee, make your choice!" and protesters holding placards appeared at the entrance of the Gwacheon complex.

Some protesters set up a memorial altar in front of their vehicles with a sign reading "Law Dead" instead of a portrait photo, playing funeral music used during memorial services while protesting.

Although relatively fewer in number, there were also protesters supporting Minister Chu holding placards with phrases like "Resign Yoon Seok-yeol" and conducting one-person protests.

On the morning of the 10th, a row of wreaths lined the roadside in front of the Government Gwacheon Complex where the disciplinary committee for Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol was held. Photo by Choi Seok-jin

Also, along the main road in front of the Gwacheon complex, more than 100 artificial flower wreaths lined both sides of the road, which began to be placed after reports last month about flower baskets sent by Minister Chu's supporters to the Ministry of Justice. The wreaths bore phrases such as "Chu Mi-ae, step down" and "Congratulations on the death of the Ministry of Justice."

In preparation for any unforeseen incidents, a significantly larger number of police officers than usual were deployed around the complex.

On the 10th, reporters gathered in front of the Ministry of Justice at the Government Complex Gwacheon, where the disciplinary committee for Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol was held. Photo by Park Joon-ee

In front of Building 1 of the Ministry of Justice, where the disciplinary committee was held, dozens of reporters, including camera crews from broadcasting stations, and Ministry of Justice officials gathered well before the start of the committee to secure their spots. Especially since the Ministry of Justice refused to disclose the list, reporters gathered to confirm the identities of external committee members and witnesses, who remained under wraps until that day, closely watching each person entering the Ministry as the meeting time approached, engaging in intense coverage competition.

However, none of the disciplinary committee members, who were the focus of attention that day, were seen entering by the meeting start time of 10:30 a.m. It appears the Ministry of Justice guided the members to the meeting room through other routes in advance.

Meanwhile, the day before, the Ministry of Justice initially announced it would open the briefing room on the 5th floor of Building 1 for reporters covering the disciplinary committee held at Building 1, but a few hours later, it announced that Building 1 was unavailable and that a space for article writing would be provided in Building 5, which is far from Building 1, causing backlash from reporters.

The Ministry of Justice explained this as an unavoidable measure due to the use of spaces on each floor as waiting areas for disciplinary committee members, special attorneys, and various witnesses, but it was perceived as a move to minimize contact between the press and the disciplinary committee members, sparking controversy over "coverage restrictions."

On the dawn of the day the disciplinary committee for Prosecutor General Yoon, convened by Minister Chu, was held, she posted on her Facebook, "Prosecutors investigating crimes related to their duties face a dilemma of 'betraying the people or betraying the prosecution.' - omitted - Anyway, the cost of betraying the people is not great for prosecutors, but the cost of betraying the organization is significant. excerpt."

She quoted a passage from a book written by lawyer Lee Yeon-ju, a former prosecutor, which she had read in the National Assembly the day before, and wrote, "There is no longer any reason to hesitate about the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO)."

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