Justice Minister Seeks Discipline for Prosecutors in Lee Hwa-young Perjury Trial Walkout

Justice Minister Sim Sang-cheol has initiated disciplinary action against two prosecutors who staged a collective walkout during a trial related to alleged perjury by former Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young. The prosecutors had requested to recuse the judge presiding over the case after their requests for additional witnesses were denied.

The Ministry of Justice announced that following an internal investigation, the Justice Minister directly requested disciplinary action against two prosecutors. Two other prosecutors involved in the incident had already submitted their resignations. The Ministry stated that the disciplinary process, including review by the Prosecutors' Disciplinary Committee, will proceed according to regulations.

The incident occurred during a preparatory hearing for Lee's trial on charges of perjury. The prosecutors, affiliated with the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, expressed their intent to recuse the judge and subsequently left the courtroom. This action prompted an investigation by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, which initially concluded that disciplinary action against the prosecutors was difficult.

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According to relevant regulations, after the Ministry of Justice's internal investigation committee found evidence of misconduct and proposed disciplinary measures for four prosecutors, two prosecutors who had already submitted their resignations were given a warning from the Minister of Justice, considering their status for dismissal. For the other two prosecutors, the Minister of Justice directly requested disciplinary action on the same day.

However, the Ministry of Justice conducted its own separate investigation. Its disciplinary committee recommended disciplinary measures for the four prosecutors. The Justice Minister's decision to pursue disciplinary action effectively overrides the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's earlier assessment.

Lee Hwa-young is accused of providing false testimony during a parliamentary hearing. He allegedly claimed that prosecutors pressured him to admit President Lee Jae-myung's involvement in a bribery case during the investigation into alleged North Korean currency smuggling by Ssangbangwool Group. A jury found Lee guilty of perjury in June, and he was sentenced to four months in prison. The Justice Minister's move highlights a significant internal disciplinary action within the prosecution service.

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The disciplinary proceedings for the prosecutors against whom disciplinary action has been requested will continue according to the disciplinary regulations, including deliberation by the Prosecutors' Disciplinary Committee.