Prosecutor Choi Jae-hyun, who was investigated by the special counsel team led by Ahn Gwon-seop regarding allegations of destroying or losing official cash-bundle wrappers, has been disciplined with a pay cut.
The Ministry of Justice announced through an official gazette yesterday, June 29, that it has imposed a one-month pay cut on Prosecutor Choi.
Investigations revealed that on December 17, 2024, during the investigation of Jeon Seong-bae, known as Geonjin Beopsa, Prosecutor Choi secured cash bundled with Shinhan Bank bands and plastic packaging. However, he failed to record the specific details in the seizure inventory, which led to the damage and disposal of the packaging and bands.
It was also found that although Prosecutor Choi became aware of the damage and disposal of the packaging and bands on January 9, 2025, he failed to report the incident to his superiors.
The Ministry of Justice concluded that Prosecutor Choi violated his professional duties and decided on the disciplinary action.
Prosecutor Choi had previously appeared before the special counsel team for questioning as a suspect regarding this matter, but he was not indicted.
The special counsel team confirmed that there was poor record-keeping in the seizure inventory by the lead prosecutor's office, but concluded that it was an administrative error rather than a matter for criminal prosecution.
However, the team requested that the Ministry of Justice take disciplinary action regarding the mismanagement of seized items and the delay in reporting.

Prosecutor Ahn Mi-hyun, who leaked part of a law school exam, also received a one-month pay cut.
On November 20, 2025, during a lecture for the "Prosecution Practice 1" course at Hanyang University Law School, Prosecutor Ahn displayed materials on the classroom screen that included charges discussed during the final exam preparation process, with those charges highlighted in shading.
As this incident came to light later, concerns were raised regarding the fairness of the exam, and the "Prosecution Practice 1" final exam was eventually re-administered.
Disciplinary actions for prosecutors are categorized into five levels: dismissal, discharge, suspension, pay cut, and reprimand. Suspension or higher is generally classified as a severe disciplinary action.
(Photo: Yonhap News)