Prosecutors Who Walked Out of Trial Attend Disciplinary Hearing to Explain Commitment to Duties

A disciplinary hearing has been held for prosecutors who collectively walked out of a trial involving former Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor for Peace Lee Hwa-young over perjury charges.

The Ministry of Justice held a disciplinary committee meeting at 2:00 p.m. today (the 21st) at the Ministry of Justice building in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, to deliberate on the disciplinary action requests against Senior Prosecutor Kim Hyun-woo of the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office and Senior Prosecutor Seo Hyun-wook of the Changwon Branch of the Busan High Prosecutors' Office.

Prior to attending the disciplinary committee, Senior Prosecutor Kim stated, "I will actively cooperate with the Ministry of Justice's disciplinary procedures and faithfully explain that I remained faithful to my inherent duties as a prosecutor of the Republic of Korea."

However, Senior Prosecutor Kim also remarked, "The Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Committee decided that disciplinary action was not warranted, and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials dismissed the case after finding no grounds for suspicion. I do not understand why I have to stand here."

When asked whether he would consider filing a lawsuit if a conclusion is reached at today's disciplinary hearing, he replied, "I will decide after reviewing the disciplinary outcome and consulting with my legal counsel."


Senior Prosecutor Seo Hyun-wook also stated, "I will thoroughly explain the unjustness of the disciplinary request," before heading into the Ministry of Justice building.

Today's disciplinary committee session involves deliberations on issues such as whether reporting to superiors took place prior to filing an application for the recusal of the judges.

The disciplinary committee was convened regarding an incident on November 25 of last year, when four trial prosecutors from the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office expressed their intent to seek the recusal of the court and left the courtroom during a preparatory hearing for the trial of former Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young at the Suwon District Court on charges including violations of the Act on Testimony and Appraisal Before the National Assembly.

At the time, the prosecutors staged a collective walkout, stating they could not comply with what they deemed unfair trial management, such as the dismissal of their witness requests.

The following day, President Lee Jae-myung expressed concern and regret, calling it "an act that disrupts courtroom order," and ordered an inspection and investigation.

While the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Committee concluded in April that it would be difficult to impose disciplinary action on the matter, former Minister of Justice Jeong Sung-ho directly requested a reprimand disciplinary action on August 14.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials also recently dismissed a complaint filed by former Vice Governor Lee against the four prosecutors who walked out, which accused them of contempt of court and dereliction of duty.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.