PROSECUTOR GENERAL FILES COURT INJUNCTION

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It appears legal intervention is necessary to end the escalating conflict between Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. On November 24, the justice minister suspended Yoon from duty, citing results of an investigation into alleged corruption charges against him. In response, the top prosecutor last night filed for a court injunction to halt the justice minister's order.

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Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl filed for a court injunction on the justice minister's order to suspend him from his duties. The top prosecutor's representative said Yoon filed the request with the Seoul Administrative Court online at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday local time. The chief prosecutor also plans to lodge an administrative suit on Thursday to nullify the minister's order. In order to move forward with the litigation, Yoon hired two lawyers-one is an ex-prosecutor and the other a former judge. With his duties suspended, the prosecutor general did not report to work on Wednesday. Instead, he met with his defense counsel to discuss legal options. In a move to support Yoon, some 30 junior prosecutors belonging to the Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office issued a statement denouncing the justice minister's action as illegal and improper. They asked the minister to re-consider and withdraw her decision, which they said was made through unacceptable procedures. Junior prosecutors at Busan's eastern district branch also issued a similar statement. They said it is incomprehensible why the minister decided in an unprecedented move to suspend the chief prosecutor from duty before charges against him were confirmed. A series of messages condemning the minister's order were posted on an internal online network for prosecutors There are also some strong opinions evident in the posts, saying the minister decided on the suspension, as
Yoon led investigations that are unfavorable for the government. Some prosecutors even blasted her for committing political violence. District prosecutors' offices are reportedly considering holding a general meeting of junior prosecutors for the first time in seven years.