Prosecutors Want the ROK Presidential Office to Stop Interfering in Their Investigation of Justice Minister Nominee
I hope no one is surprised that the Blue House is interfering in the investigation of Justice Minister nominee, Cho Kuk. Really the investigation is pointless because he is going to be confirmed before investigation is completed and then as Justice Minister can shutdown the investigation. All this is right now is the Blue House trying to minimize the public relations blow before he is confirmed:
South Korea’s presidential office and prosecution clashed Thursday over an investigation into the family of justice minister nominee Cho Kuk over a series of allegations of misdeeds.
The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office made a rare public protest calling on presidential officials to stop intervening in its investigation into Cho’s wife over suspicions that she may have fabricated a school award for her daughter.
The presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae immediately denied the claim, saying that it has never interfered with the probe and that it will closely watch Cho’s confirmation hearing slated for Friday.
Cho has faced a string of corruption allegations involving his family, including that his daughter received preferential treatment in entering elite colleges and that his family made a dubious investment in a private equity fund.
Ahead of his confirmation hearing, fresh suspicion has been arising that his wife may have fabricated a certificate to prove her daughter had done voluntary work at an English education center of a university. She became the chief of the center after its issuance.
In an interview on Thursday, an anonymous Cheong Wa Dae official said that a professor who recommended the certificate has been found and that relevant allegations will be clarified in the upcoming hearing.
“Today, a high-ranking official of Cheong Wa Dae suggested in a media interview that it is not a fabrication with regard to the certificate forgery allegation involving the minister nominee’s wife. This can be seen as intervention in the investigation, and it is very inappropriate,” the prosecution said in a text message to reporters, citing one of its own officials.
Yonhap
You can read more at the link, but I guess Cho Kuk represents the type of fair and just society that President Moon has been talking about.
