PROSECUTOR GENERAL BACK ON DUTY

[Anchor Lead]

Upon returning to work on Tuesday, Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl approved of issuing arrest warrants for Energy Ministry officials in relation to the investigation of the early closure of the Wolsong-1 nuclear reactor, as the Daejeon District Prosecutors’ Office had recommended. Since the nuclear phase-out plan is President Moon Jae-in’s key campaign pledge, a speedier investigation into the case could have far-reaching implications.

[Pkg]

On the second day back at work, Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl was briefed on key investigations and discussed how to proceed with the cases with his advisors. Their top agenda was the allegation that the economical feasibility of the Wolsong-1 nuclear reactor was fabricated. This case is currently under investigation by the Daejeon District Prosecutors’ Office. Previously, the Daejeon District Prosecutors’ Office suggested requesting arrest warrants for Energy Ministry officials who allegedly destroyed pertinent documents prior to the Board of Audit and Inspection’s audit. On Wednesday, the top Prosecutor gave his approval for the move. When the Daejeon prosecutors first sought warrants in mid-November, Yoon had ordered further investigation, because the simple suspicion of interfering with an audit was not enough to seek warrants. Subsequently, the Daejeon team added destruction of electronic data to the list of charges. If the ministry employees are found guilty of this crime, they would be sentenced to maximum 7 years in prison or up to 10 million won in fine. A tougher sentence compared to the obstruction of audit charge, which entails imprisonment of up to one year. Following the Prosecutor General’s approval, the Daejeon District Prosecutors’ Office immediately sought from the court, arrest warrants for three Energy Ministry officials. The investigation is likely to speed up once the warrants are issued. Investigators are expected to question them on who ordered the destruction of documents and if anyone higher up was involved in the process. However, some speculate the prosecution's probe into the earlier than expected decommissioning of the Wolsong-1 nuclear reactor is why Yoon was targeted for disciplinary actions and was temporarily suspended. This issue is expected to have far-reaching implications as opponents of the investigation in the ruling party grow louder in their protest.