Lee Kwang Suk (46), a senior prosecutor at the Seoul Central Prosecutor's Office that led the search and seizure at former Justice Minister Cho Kuk's home last September has resigned abruptly.
Coincidentally, Lee resigned after Justice Minister Cho's wife Chung Kyung Sim, a professor at Dongyang University, was released after her detention period expired. Prosecutor Lee was a member of the Anti-corruption division and was assigned to Cho's wife alleged corruption case where she was accused of falsifying college entrance exams. The Office of the President ran by Cho's wife was also accused of intervening in the Ulsan mayoral election this past February.
According to an official from Lee's seizure team, prosecutor Lee received an "outside pressure call" from Cho Kuk at the search and seizure location. Cho reportedly stated to Lee, "please calm the waters (the search) because the situation is not good." An embarrassed Lee replied, "I will follow procedure."
During trial, Prosecutor Lee strongly protested the court after they refused to apply for a change of contents in the indictment as it only brought forward charges regarding "forgery of Dongyang University documents" against Cho's wife. Afterwards, Lee abruptly resigned and did not even post a letter of resignation on the prosecution's internal network 'Epros'.
A legal official stated, "Lee was criticized heavily by the ruling camp for investigating the incumbent minister [Cho Kuk] and his family. I think he was exhausted physically and mentally."
Many from the prosecution are concerned that Lee's resignation will have a considerable impact on Cho Kuk and his wife's trial as he was the person that knew best all the details of the investigation.
- [+5,543, -95] This is a country that has never experienced justice. The weak are insulted and defeated while the rich and powerful prevail
- [+2,053, -60] I've already given up on our country full of dogs and pigs that are ok living in their own sh**
- [+1,303, -38] Wow..these people are really scary. That's why they say you'll end up bloody if you mess with the rich and powerful
- [+140, -3] I'm sure the current regime has done it's fair share of threats and conciliation. What a dirty world
- [+112, -1] The criminal's family gets released and the prosecutor resigns..I thought our country was getting better but I must've guessed wrong
- [+93, -1] A country where criminals become heroes...
- [+59, -1] This is how a dictatorship works. And here we thought they were doing law reform
