South Korean prosecutors avoid discipline after courtroom walkout

Two prosecutors involved in a collective courtroom walkout during the perjury trial of former Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young have avoided formal disciplinary action. Following a meeting of the Prosecutor Discipline Committee on May 21, the Ministry of Justice issued a non-punitive warning to Chief Prosecutor Kim Hyun-woo and cleared Chief Prosecutor Seo Hyun-wook of charges.

The incident occurred in November last year at the Suwon District Court. Four prosecutors walked out of the courtroom after the judge rejected the prosecution's request to call several witnesses, leading the prosecutors to express intent to file for a recusal of the presiding judge on the grounds of unfair litigation management.

While the Ministry of Justice had previously recommended disciplinary measures, citing failures in reporting obligations and violations of duty, the committee decided on lighter outcomes. For Kim, the decision to issue a warning was influenced by his past commendations. For Seo, the committee determined there was insufficient evidence of misconduct regarding his involvement in the decision-making process for the recusal request.