- Title: Scandal over justice minister galvanizes South Koreans at protests
- Date: 12th October 2019
- Summary: PROTESTER HOLDING BANNER OF CHO'S PORTRAIT (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) 61-YEAR-OLD PRO-JUSTICE MINISTER PROTESTER, KIM HYEON-JUNG, SAYING: "The reason I am here to support minister Cho Kuk is that previous prosecution reform has all failed. Minister Cho is the only one who can do it, so I joined here to support him." SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (OCTOBER 12, 2019) (REUTERS) ANTI-CHO PROTEST IN PROGRESS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF PRO-CHO PROTEST VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS CHANTING SLOGANS "ARREST CHO KUK" AND "IMPEACH MOON JAE-IN" (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) 70-YEAR-OLD SOUTH KOREAN ANTI-CHO PROTESTER, PARK SANG-HWAN, SAYING: "He should reform his own family first, rather than being a justice minister and claiming prosecution reform. He should sort out his family first and then speak about prosecution reform. He needed to be ethically clean." PROTESTER SPEAKING ON STAGE/ BANNER BEHIND STAGE READING (Korean): "ARREST CHO KUK / IMPEACH MOON JAE-IN" / BANNER IN FRONT OF STAGE READING (Korean): "THE BEGINNING OF PROSECUTION REFORM IS ARRESTING AND INVESTIGATING CHO KUK!" PROTESTERS HOLDING UP SIGNS READING (Korean): "IMPEACH MOON JAE-IN"
- Embargoed: 26th October 2019 14:30
- Keywords: South Korea Justice Minister Cho Kuk protest rally Seoul political scandal prosecution reform
- Location: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
- City: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
- Country: South Korea
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA005B0SI2BR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Protesters took to the streets in the South Korean capital Seoul on Saturday (October 12) to stage demonstrations both in support of, and in opposition to, new justice minister, Cho Kuk.
The protests have occurred amid a growing corruption scandal over the new minister.
Allegations of corruption against Cho Kuk's family has led to major counter-demonstrations from the liberal end of the political spectrum, who see the investigation into Cho as politically motivated and are calling on the Moon administration to follow through with promised reforms.
The reforms include more oversight of prosecutors' investigations, barring overly prolonged or late interrogations, and limiting investigations from spilling over into other probes, according to the Justice Ministry.
Both conservative and liberal groups have staged large demonstrations, with each side providing competing claims over the size of their crowds.
Cho's family is facing probes into irregular investments and his children's' favourable treatment in university admission.
Cho has not denied the allegations against his family members, but has apologised for disappointing the people and said he was still committed to reforming the prosecutors' office.
(Production: Daewoung Kim, Minwoo Park) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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