Ministry of Justice Acquits Han Dong-hoon Assault Case, Issues Reprimand to Prosecutor Jin-Woong Jeong

[Financial News] Jin-Woong Jeong, a prosecutor at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office (29th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute), who was tried on charges of assaulting former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon but was acquitted, has received a reprimand from the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). On the 26th, the MOJ announced this disciplinary action against Prosecutor Jeong through the Government Gazette.
In the Government Gazette, the MOJ explained, "In July 2020, during the execution of a search and seizure warrant, Prosecutor Jeong failed to comply with the procedures stipulated by relevant regulations. Furthermore, he distributed photos of himself receiving treatment at a hospital and a statement claiming to be a victim, thereby damaging the dignity of the office."
According to Articles 2(2) and 2(3) of the Prosecutors Disciplinary Act, a prosecutor may be disciplined for violating official duties, neglecting duties, or engaging in conduct that undermines the dignity or reputation of the office, regardless of whether it is related to official duties.
In July 2020, while serving as chief prosecutor of the Criminal Division 1 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Jeong was indicted in October 2020 on charges of official misconduct and assault (abuse of power by a public official) during the seizure of Han's mobile phone SIM card as part of an investigation into a Channel A reporter's attempted extortion case. Prosecutors alleged that Jeong grabbed Han's arm and shoulder while Han was seated on a sofa, pushed him down, and caused injuries requiring three weeks of medical treatment. However, the Supreme Court of Korea, while acknowledging a physical altercation, accepted Jeong's claim that there was no intent to commit official misconduct and confirmed his acquittal in November 2022.
Separately from the Supreme Court of Korea's ruling, the MOJ determined that Jeong had violated official duties and undermined the dignity of the office under the Prosecutors Disciplinary Act, and imposed a two-month suspension. This action followed a disciplinary request by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.
Jeong filed a lawsuit with the Administrative Court to overturn the disciplinary action, arguing it was unjust, and won a final ruling in July. In response, the MOJ has now issued a reprimand.
Meanwhile, the MOJ also imposed a three-month suspension on Lee Jeong-hyun, a prosecutor at the Ulsan District Prosecutors' Office (40th class), for damaging the dignity of the office by sexually harassing a female investigator in the prosecutor's office between February and June last year.
Kim Tae-young, a prosecutor at the Gunsan Branch of Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office (47th class), received a reprimand for damaging the dignity of the office after assaulting a junior prosecutor by grabbing him by the collar while intoxicated during a dinner gathering on September 24 last year.
kyu0705@fnnews.com Kim Dong-gyu Reporter