Democratic Party Lawmakers: "Han Myeong-sook Case, 'Manipulation' Under the Guise of Investigation... Yoon Seok-yeol Must Apologize"

Democratic Party Judiciary Committee members held a press conference on the 15th at the National Assembly regarding the announcement of the joint inspection results by the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the Han Myeong-sook case. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] More than 20 members of the Democratic Party of Korea have demanded an apology from former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol regarding the case of former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook.

They based their demands on the joint inspection results by the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. The lawmakers include Kim Nam-guk, Kim Young-bae, Kim Yong-min, Kim Jong-min, Park Sung-joon, Park Joo-min, Song Ki-heon, Lee Soo-jin (Dongjak), Choi Ki-sang, Kwon In-sook, Kim Sang-hee, Nam In-soon, Seol Hoon, Woo Won-shik, Wi Seong-gon, Yoo Jung-joo, Lee Soo-jin (proportional representation), Jo Oh-seop, Jin Sung-jun, Choi Hye-young, Heo Young, and Hong Jung-min, all members of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

At a press conference on the 15th, they stated, "Most of the suspicions repeatedly raised about what is called the 'prosecutors' investigative practices' have been confirmed to be true," adding, "The prosecution repeatedly summoned detainees for testimony rehearsals, provided inappropriate conveniences to cooperating witnesses, and omitted some investigative documents deemed unfavorable to maintaining the prosecution."

They also pointed out that Im Eun-jung, the Inspection Policy Research Officer who handled the former Prime Minister’s case, approved the indictment of detainee witnesses for perjury in February. Despite the statute of limitations approaching, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office abruptly replaced the lead prosecutor and dismissed the case as no charges within three days.

The lawmakers said, "Regarding this incomprehensible situation, the Minister of Justice ordered a review of the investigation, and a meeting of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office chiefs was held. The conclusion of this meeting was leaked to a specific media outlet just 45 minutes after the meeting ended. It was revealed that the prosecution fixed the conclusion beforehand and conducted a tailor-made investigation, and selectively leaked information favorable to the media."

They continued, "Such behavior by the prosecution is called a 'practice,' but in reality, it is a 'manipulation' and a 'violation of human rights' disguised as an investigation," adding, "More importantly, all of this happened during the tenure of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who claimed to represent 'fairness and common sense.'"

They further claimed, "Former Prosecutor General Yoon, as the head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, made every effort to conceal these flaws of the prosecution. Until just before his retirement, he used all means to protect the prosecution organization, not 'fairness and common sense' or 'the lives of citizens.'"

The lawmakers emphasized, "Former Prosecutor General Yoon must apologize to the public and show accountability. That is the minimum courtesy for the people."

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