▲ Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho
Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho has requested disciplinary action against prosecutors involved in the mass walkout at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office.
The Ministry of Justice announced in a press release today (the 14th) that Minister Jung directly requested disciplinary action against two prosecutors in connection with the incident where prosecutors attending a preparatory hearing for the trial of former Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor for Peace Lee Hwa-young regarding alleged perjury over a drinking party controversy filed a motion to recuse the judges and walked out en masse.
The Ministry of Justice explained, "As a result of direct inspections conducted by the Ministry in accordance with relevant regulations, the Ministry's Inspection Committee acknowledged wrongdoing and proposed disciplinary action for four prosecutors. Considering that two prosecutors who had already submitted their resignations were subject to dismissal, they were given a ministerial warning, while disciplinary action was requested for the remaining two prosecutors."
It added, "Disciplinary procedures under the Prosecutor Disciplinary Act, such as deliberations by the Prosecutor Disciplinary Committee, will continue for the prosecutors facing disciplinary requests," and noted, "We plan to instruct the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to formulate measures to prevent recurrence."
Previously, on November 25 of last year, four prosecutors from the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office walked out en masse after declaring their intent to file a motion to recuse the presiding judges, stating they "cannot comply with unfair trial management," after the prosecution's request to call witnesses was dismissed during a preparatory hearing for former Vice Governor Lee's trial on charges including violations of the Act on Testimony and Appraisal Before the National Assembly, held before Criminal Division 11 of the Suwon District Court (Presiding Judge Song Byung-hoon).
In response, President Lee Jae-myung expressed concern and regret the next day on the 26th, ordering a strict inspection and investigation.
Subsequently, inspections were conducted by the Suwon High Prosecutors' Office under the instruction of Minister Jung.
While the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Committee concluded in a closed-door meeting last April that it would be difficult to discipline the prosecutors in question, the Ministry of Justice requested disciplinary action against the prosecutors after conducting a separate inspection.
With the revision of the Prosecutor Disciplinary Act last year, not only the Prosecutor General but also the Minister of Justice has become authorized to request disciplinary action against prosecutors.
The final level of discipline will be determined by the Ministry of Justice Prosecutor Disciplinary Committee, chaired by the Minister of Justice.
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