South Korean prosecutors filed charges Thursday against three former ministers in the administration of former President Moon Jae In for abuse of power by allegedly forcing the resignation of the heads of several state agencies.
Prosecutors said the charges follow a series of investigations into allegations made against the former president’s administration in connection with the resignation of several top officials previously chosen by the government of his predecessor, Park Geun Hye.
The three accused are former Industry Minister Paik Un Gye, former Unification Minister Cho Myoung Gyon and former Information Minister You Young Min, according to Yonhap news agency.
The prosecution believes that Paik forced the resignation of senior officials from more than a dozen state-owned energy companies who were appointed under Park’s government after she took office in 2017.
Cho and You have been charged with similar offenses. The investigation began nearly four years ago when the then-opposition Liberty Korea Party filed a lawsuit against some former ministers.
Previously, South Korea’s Supreme Court sentenced former Environment Minister Kim Eun Kying to two years in prison for abuse of power for also forcing the resignation of top officials chosen by Park. However, she was pardoned last year.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
