Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Top prosecutor may be first target of new investigative body
Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl arrives at work in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul, Friday.
By Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
A new investigative body tasked with handling high-profile corruption cases may select Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl as its first target after its launch, which could happen by the end of this month.
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) used its supermajority in the National Assembly to pass a bill to launch the anti-corruption probe agency, Thursday.
Once considered President Moon Jae-in's man to lead political reform, Yoon has since clashed with the Moon administration on several occasions, the ongoing tussle with Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae being the latest example.
Against this backdrop, the agency is expected to take over the investigation of fraud, bribery and other corruption allegations surrounding Yoon and his family members.
Under Choo's command, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office has been leading the probe against Yoon.
The new agency is also expected to put Yoon under the microscope over five accusations Choo made in her failed attempt to suspend him.
They were: An inappropriate meeting with the leader of a media organization; the surveillance of judges handling cases involving former Justice Minister Cho Kuk; unethical ties with the media and interference in an audit into violations of the Political Funding Act; obstruction of an audit and refusal to cooperate with an interview for that audit; and undermining the prosecution's political neutrality.
Political analysts speculated that the prosecution's probe into suspicions of a politically motivated decision to close the Wolsong-1 nuclear reactor may lose steam.
President Moon's supporters and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) called the probe “a scheme orchestrated by Yoon,” amid concerns that it could be extended to Cheong Wa Dae and deal a blow Moon's nuclear-free energy policy and prosecutorial reform.