Court: "Prosecution of Lee Gyu-won and Cha Gyu-geun for 'Kim Hak-ui Illegal Departure' Proper"

Prosecutor General Lee Seong-yoon Will Not Merge Cases

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] The court has tentatively concluded that the prosecution's decision to indict prosecutors involved in the 'Kim Hak-ui illegal departure ban' allegations is lawful and will proceed with the trial.

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 27 (Presiding Judge Kim Seon-il) held the second pretrial hearing on the 15th for Prosecutor Lee Gyuwon and Cha Gyugeun, Director of the Immigration and Foreign Policy Headquarters, and expressed this position. The court stated, "Based on our review, we have not found clear grounds to deem the prosecution's indictment in this case unlawful, so we will proceed with the substantive trial." It added, "This does not mean that changes are impossible or definitive, but we will proceed with the substantive trial on the premise that the prosecutor's indictment is lawful."

Prosecutor Lee had filed a constitutional complaint claiming that the prosecution's exercise of indictment authority was unconstitutional after being brought to trial on charges related to the illegal departure ban involving former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui, but it was dismissed.

Meanwhile, the court rejected the prosecution's request to consolidate the case of Seoul High Prosecutor General Lee Seong-yoon, who was indicted on charges of abuse of authority, stating that it "does not seem appropriate."

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