Moon warns prosecution against 'excessive' probe

President Moon Jae-in is facing a dilemma over calls to dismiss Justice Minister Cho Kuk over a widening corruption scandal. Yonhap

By Do Je-hae

President Moon Jae-in made a critical public comment, Friday, targeting the prosecution's ongoing investigation into corruption allegations involving Justice Minister Cho Kuk and his family.

The President's message focused on the need for the reform of the prosecution, a core task of his administration. He has entrusted this to Cho, a former senior presidential aide for civil affairs, by appointing him as justice minister earlier this month, despite strong public backlash due to the wide-ranging allegations of corruption and illegalities involving Cho and his family.

“With regard to the allegations against Justice Minister Cho, the prosecution is conducting a stern investigation. The legal procedures, including the investigation, will determine the facts regarding the allegations and whether the justice minister should be held responsible,” Moon was quoted as saying in a statement delivered by his spokeswoman Ko Min-jung during a press conference at Cheong Wa Dae, Friday.

Moon's message came only a day after he returned from the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York from Sept. 22 to 25, reflecting the urgency Cheong Wa Dae saw in responding to the opposition's demands for the dismissal of the justice minister. Cho revealed during an interpellation session Thursday that he had spoken on the phone to a member of the investigation team during a search of his residence earlier this week as part of the prosecution's investigation into allegations involving his family.

Opposition party members have slammed the minister for what they see as an attempt to “pressure” the prosecution and interfere in its investigation. Cho said there was no such intention in the phone conversation and that it was to relieve the anxiety of his wife at the time of the prosecution's search.

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) floor leader Rep. Na Kyung-won said that the phone call amounts to grounds for dismissal of the justice minister for abusing his authority. “The President must dismiss him before facing the removal of the justice minister,” Rep. Na said during a party meeting, Friday.

Despite the rising calls for Moon to make a decision on Cho, the President stood by the justice minister and instead highlighted the growing need for the reform of the prosecution. This was seen as showing his discontent with the prosecution's “excessive” handling of the case, particularly after the prosecution searched Cho's home while the President was out of the country.

“The prosecution should reflect on the reality that the people are calling for the overhaul of the prosecution," Moon said, adding that there has been no interference in the investigation. “The prosecution must reform its investigation practices and exercise its authority in a fair manner and respect human rights in the process.”

Cheong Wa Dae, however, has been accused of attempting to meddle in the investigation after Kang Gi-jung, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, remarked on the prosecution's search of Cho's residence during a conference in South Jeolla Province, Thursday, saying that Cheong Wa Dae had cautioned the prosecution through “various methods” against “making a scene” while the all-important Korea-U.S. summit was underway. “But the prosecution did not listen and went ahead with [the search],” he said.

But Cheong Wa Dae distanced itself from Kang's remarks. “We do not comment on a personal opinion,” a presidential aide said.