Im Eun-jeong: "I Could Hardly Believe My Ears When I Heard Prosecutors from the Investigation Team Would Attend the Meeting"

Lim Eun-jeong, Inspection Policy Research Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor) [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Im Eun-jeong, Research Officer of the Inspection Policy Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, said regarding the expanded meeting of department heads and high prosecutors at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office that re-examined the allegations of witness tampering and coaching against former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, "I could hardly believe my ears when I heard that a certain prosecutor from the investigation team would attend."

On the 23rd, Im posted on her Facebook, saying, "At a meeting discussing whether to indict an inmate witness, with the Minister of Justice having ordered a joint inspection, the proceedings were too blatant." She raised concerns about the attendance of an unplanned prosecutor from the investigation team at last week's Supreme Prosecutors' Office department heads meeting.

She pointed out, "If that was the case, shouldn't the complainant Mr. Han or his lawyer have been given a chance to speak to at least appear fair? I was dumbfounded." She added, "After being notified of the attendance of high prosecutors and department heads at the meeting, it was hard to expect fairness," but "since there was the Minister of Justice's directive, there was no choice but to attend."

Regarding her refusal to have a Q&A session with Deputy Chief Prosecutor Eom Hee-jun, who was identified as the person involved in the witness coaching allegations during the meeting, Im explained, "I refrained from asking questions to the investigation team prosecutor at a meeting meant to discuss the indictment of the inmate witness, as such questions should be asked during the joint inspection."

She also said, "I never expected fairness from Deputy Chief Prosecutor Cho Nam-gwan (Acting Prosecutor General), so I was not disappointed, but I was very exhausted," adding, "I couldn't sleep a wink the night before, and sitting in the meeting room like a target or dartboard was extremely tiring."

Furthermore, she stated, "Since I attended the meeting, I have no choice but to abide by its results, so I greet the first morning after the statute of limitations with a heavy heart," but emphasized, "History will hold former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and Deputy Chief Prosecutor Cho accountable, and I too will seek legal responsibility."

She continued, "I feel deeply sorry and pained for the few inmates who showed courage," and added, "Tomorrow, I will strive harder to become a less shameful prosecution."

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