Court Handling Yoon Seok-yeol's Disciplinary Cancellation Lawsuit Orders Ministry of Justice to "Submit Evidence" with Clarification Preparation Order

Ministry of Justice Unresponsive for 4 Months... Unable to Appoint Lawyer

Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae (left) and Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye./Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@, Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] The Ministry of Justice received a preparatory order to submit evidence from the court currently hearing the disciplinary cancellation lawsuit filed by former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol. The preparatory order to submit evidence is a court order to supplement any deficiencies by submitting evidence related to the complaint or response.

Earlier, on December 21 of last year, the court sent the Ministry of Justice a copy of the complaint filed by former Prosecutor General Yoon’s side along with a guide, instructing them to "submit their position and evidence regarding the disciplinary resolution against former Prosecutor General Yoon." However, the Ministry of Justice has not submitted a response even after four months, and it has been confirmed that they have not yet appointed a lawyer to handle the main lawsuit.

According to the legal community on the 13th, the Administrative Division 12 of the Seoul Administrative Court (Chief Judge Jeong Yong-seok) issued a preparatory order on the 8th, instructing the Ministry of Justice to submit their position and necessary evidence regarding the lawsuit by the 29th.

Former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae excluded former Prosecutor General Yoon from his duties in November last year, citing reasons such as 'judicial surveillance,' then held a disciplinary committee in December of the same year, deciding on a two-month suspension and recommending the disciplinary measure of a 'two-month suspension' against Prosecutor General Yoon to President Moon Jae-in.

However, the court has repeatedly issued injunctions suspending the exclusion from duty and disciplinary measures against former Prosecutor General Yoon.

With the suspension of the execution of the 'two-month suspension' disciplinary action against former Prosecutor General Yoon, he has effectively been able to perform his duties as Prosecutor General for the remainder of his term. Nevertheless, Yoon’s side has not withdrawn the lawsuit in order to have the court confirm that the Ministry of Justice’s disciplinary action was unjust.

If the Ministry of Justice fails to express its opinion within the designated period despite the court’s order, there is a high possibility that the Ministry’s claims or evidence submissions will be dismissed. In this case, the main lawsuit is also expected to proceed unfavorably for the Ministry of Justice.

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