S.Korea: Former chief justice may face arrest

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – Prosecutors in South Korea are seeking the arrest of a former chief justice, local media reported on Tuesday.

If warrants are granted, Yang Seung-tae, 71, the first top Korean judge to be called in for questioning, could face arrest, The Hankyoreh daily reported. However, it remains to be seen whether the Korean courts – which have shown reluctance in the past – issue the arrest warrants.

Though he claims ignorance, Yang is accused of having “cut a deal” with the previous administration about a lawsuit filed by victims of forced labor during the Japanese colonial period.

Yang flatly denies the charges, claiming "not to remember" what happened. His term as chief justice of South Korea ended in September 2017.

Prosecutors were said to be most interested in Yang's involvement in an alleged "judicial blacklist" of judges who would face discrimination in personnel assignments.