Prosecutors who staged a walkout during the trial of former Gyeonggi Province Deputy Governor Lee Hwa-young over allegations of perjury will not face disciplinary action from the Ministry of Justice.
The ministry's disciplinary committee announced on October 27 that it had met on October 21 to discuss the incident involving Kim Hyun-woo, head prosecutor at the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office (formerly head of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office's Criminal Division 6), and Seo Hyun-wook, head prosecutor at the Busan District Prosecutors' Office's Changwon branch (formerly head of the same division). Kim received a non-punitive warning, while Seo was cleared of any wrongdoing.
A non-punitive warning acknowledges misconduct but refrains from imposing formal disciplinary measures, allowing both prosecutors to avoid significant penalties. The disciplinary committee explained its decision regarding Kim, stating, "While there were grounds for disciplinary action, factors such as commendations were considered as mitigating circumstances." In Seo's case, the committee concluded that it was difficult to recognize grounds for discipline based on the decision-making process and involvement in the recusal request.
The incident began on November 25 of last year during a preparatory hearing for Lee's trial on charges of violating the National Assembly testimony law. When the court accepted only six out of 64 witnesses proposed by the prosecution, four prosecutors from the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office declared their intention to recuse the court, stating they could not comply with what they deemed unfair judicial management, and subsequently walked out.
Following the incident, President Lee Jae-myung expressed strong concern and regret, labeling the actions as "disruptive to courtroom order," and ordered a thorough investigation and oversight.
However, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's inspection committee concluded in April that it would be difficult to discipline the prosecutors involved, and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials dismissed allegations of courtroom contempt and dereliction of duty.
Conversely, the Ministry of Justice conducted its own investigation and in August filed for a 'reprimand' under the Prosecutor Disciplinary Act against the two head prosecutors, citing violations of the obligation to report the recusal request in advance and failure to follow standard procedures. Warnings were also issued to personnel in the supervisory chain.
After the disciplinary request, Kim emphasized the prior reporting and verbal request to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, while Seo argued that being disciplined for merely expressing an opinion was unjust.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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