Im Eun-jeong: "I will conduct an inspection to dispel the controversy over the prosecution protecting its own"

Im Eun-jeong, Inspection Policy Research Officer (Chief Prosecutor), arrived at the Ministry of Justice Gwacheon Government Complex on the 29th to attend the first joint inspection meeting of the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, responding to questions from the press.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Regarding the joint inspection by the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office concerning the 'allegation of witness tampering instruction by the investigation team of former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook,' Im Eun-jung, Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Policy Research Division, stated, "We will conduct a strict inspection to dispel suspicions of protecting our own, so please watch a little longer."

On the afternoon of the 29th, Chief Prosecutor Im met with reporters in front of the Ministry of Justice Gwacheon Government Complex and said, "I intend to carry out the inspection strictly according to law and principles," adding, "Please do not worry about that and watch closely."

He is currently under suspicion of leaking official secrets after posting related content on his Facebook regarding allegations that the investigation team of former Prime Minister Han instructed inmates to commit perjury, and has been reported by civic groups. Because of this, some have expressed concerns that Chief Prosecutor Im's participation in the joint inspection by the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office might be problematic.

Regarding this, Chief Prosecutor Im said, "There are so many people watching with hawk eyes that even organizing known facts is often misunderstood as leaking official secrets," and "I understand how much those people are wary of and concerned about me." He emphasized, "In that sense, I need to be even more careful, but this is not a leak of official secrets."

Furthermore, about the conclusion of no charges in the allegation of witness tampering against former Prime Minister Han, he said, "It is a heartbreaking case, but since the joint inspection results are still pending, I am not in a position to comment," adding, "I hope the joint inspection results will be announced. I will work hard."

Earlier, Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye exercised his authority to direct the investigation of former Prime Minister Han's case and instructed the Ministry of Justice Inspection Office and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department to jointly examine whether there were inappropriate investigative practices by the investigation team at that time, separate from the case's retrial. When accepting the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's decision of no charges on the 22nd, he also emphasized a special inspection of the prosecution's inappropriate direct investigation practices.

On the afternoon of the same day, the Ministry of Justice Inspection Office and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department held their first working-level joint meeting at the Ministry of Justice Gwacheon Government Complex to discuss the principles and direction of the joint inspection by the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. It is known that Park Eun-jung, Inspection Officer, and two prosecutors from the Ministry of Justice, as well as Heo Jeong-su, Head of Inspection Division 3, and Chief Prosecutor Im from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, attended the meeting.

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