Yoon Seok-yeol: "They are trying to oust the fixed-term president... I will correct it according to constitutional and legal procedures" (Comprehensive)

Yoon Seok-yeol, Prosecutor General. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol strongly opposed the Ministry of Justice's Prosecutor Disciplinary Committee's decision of a two-month suspension on the 16th and announced his intention to take legal action.

On the morning of the same day, through his special attorney Lee Wan-gyu, Yoon criticized the disciplinary decision as an "illegal and unjust measure based on unlawful procedures and baseless reasons aimed at ousting a fixed-term Prosecutor General."

He added, "The political neutrality, independence of the prosecution, and the rule of law have been seriously damaged," and stated, "We will correct the wrongdoing according to the procedures prescribed by the Constitution and laws."

Earlier, the Prosecutor Disciplinary Committee recognized allegations including Yoon's violation of political neutrality, obstruction of inspection and investigation into the Channel A case, and suspicion of surveilling judges, and resolved to impose a two-month suspension. The suspension takes effect only after the Minister of Justice recommends it and the President approves it, according to the Prosecutor Disciplinary Act.

Yoon is expected to file a cancellation lawsuit and a request for suspension of execution against the disciplinary committee's decision.

Previously, Yoon's side filed a constitutional complaint with the Constitutional Court, claiming the Prosecutor Disciplinary Act is unconstitutional, along with a provisional injunction to suspend the effect of the problematic provisions, while Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae filed an immediate appeal against the court's decision to reinstate the Prosecutor General.

Once President Moon Jae-in's approval is granted, Yoon's side is expected to promptly submit a lawsuit to the court challenging the validity of the disciplinary action, so the legal battle between Minister Chu and Prosecutor General Yoon is likely to continue for some time.

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