Top prosecutor orders creation of independent team to handle case involving key aide
SEOUL, July 8 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl on Wednesday ordered the creation of an independent investigative team to handle an alleged blackmail case at the center of his friction with the justice minister.
The Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced Yoon's decision six days after Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae issued a rare directive ordering the chief prosecutor to take his hands off the sensitive case involving his key aide and a now fired TV reporter. Earlier in the day, Choo sent an ultimatum for Yoon to answer by early Thursday.
The prosecution office recommended to the justice minister the formation of an independent investigative team at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office to take over the case currently under probe at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.
Yoon made the decision "respecting the justice minister's directive and considering opinions in and outside the prosecution," the Supreme Prosecutors' Office said in a statement.
The new team will also include prosecutors currently in charge of the case and will report to the chief of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office. Yoon will guarantee its independence and will receive reports of the investigation results later, it said.
The case centers on a former cable TV reporter suspected of using his alleged close ties with ranking prosecutor Han Dong-hoon, a close associate of Yoon, to pressure a jailed financier to divulge allegedly corrupt acts by a pro-government commentator.
Citing the close relations between Han and Yoon, Choo ordered Yoon not to get involved in the investigation and to ensure the investigation proceeds independently of the chief prosecutor.
(END)
-
'Queen of Tears' weaves rich tapestry of Korean contemporary art
-
Ateez member Yunho throws first pitch at MLB match between Dodgers, Mets
-
N. Korea says Kim guided simulated nuclear counterattack drills for 1st time
-
N. Korea calls envisioned U.S. aid to Ukraine 'hallucinogen'
-
N. Korea calls on party propaganda officials to work harder
-
'Queen of Tears' weaves rich tapestry of Korean contemporary art
-
Experts see possibility of N.K. conducting nuclear test before U.S. presidential vote
-
Details of meeting between Yoon, opposition leader undecided: presidential office
-
N. Korea says Kim guided simulated nuclear counterattack drills for 1st time
-
Looming weekly closure of major hospitals feared to worsen medical service crisis
-
S. Korea eliminated in Olympic football qualifiers as poor defense, undisciplined play prove costly
-
10-man S. Korea lose to Indonesia to miss out on Paris Olympic football qualification
-
S. Korea reports highest suicide rate, ultra fine dust level among OECD nations: data
-
(LEAD) Hybe to file complaint against sublabel executives over internal conflict
-
(LEAD) 10-man S. Korea lose to Indonesia to miss out on Paris Olympic football qualification