1. Introduction to the text
This reading lesson discusses the controversy surrounding the decision by the prosecution to abandon the appeal in the Daejang-dong corruption case. The article explores the reactions and criticisms from the current government and the prosecution.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 항소 | hangsso | appeal | The prosecution’s decision to abandon the appeal in the Daejang-dong corruption case has caused controversy. |
| 포기 | poggi | to give up, to abandon | The prosecution has decided to abandon the appeal in the Daejang-dong corruption case. |
| 대장동 | daejangdong | Daejang-dong (a place name) | The Daejang-dong corruption case is a high-profile investigation involving real estate development in the Daejang-dong area. |
| 했다 | haetta | did, carried out | The prosecutors who were directly or indirectly involved in the Daejang-dong corruption investigation are now facing scrutiny. |
| 대검 | daegeum | the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office | The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office is being criticized for its handling of the Daejang-dong corruption case. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
이재명 대통령과 정진웅 법무부 장관이 ‘대장동 사업 비리’ 수사와 관련해 검찰을 겨냥한 경고를 내놓았다. 이들은 1심 판결에 대한 항소를 포기한 검찰을 비판하며, 윤석열 정부와 다를 바 없다고 지적했다.
President Lee Jae-myung and Justice Minister Jeong Jin-woong have issued a warning against the prosecution regarding the investigation into the Daejang-dong corruption case. They have criticized the prosecution for abandoning the appeal of the first-instance judgment, suggesting that they are no different from the Yoon Seok-yeol government.
검찰은 지난달 27일 대장동 사건 1심 판결에 대한 항소를 포기했다. 이에 대해 이 대통령은 “검찰이 이렇게 항소를 포기하는 것은 국민을 배반하는 것”이라며 강하게 비판했다. 정 장관 역시 “대장동 사건에 직간접적으로 관여한 검사들이 항소를 포기한 것은 부끄러운 행위”라고 지적했다.
The prosecution abandoned the appeal of the first-instance judgment in the Daejang-dong case last month. President Lee strongly criticized this, saying that the prosecution’s decision to abandon the appeal is a betrayal of the people. Justice Minister Jeong also pointed out that the prosecutors who were directly or indirectly involved in the Daejang-dong case have committed a shameful act by abandoning the appeal.
이번 사태를 두고 검찰 안팎에서는 다양한 해석이 나오고 있다. 일부 검사들은 “지금이 상식적 평가가 가능한 상황이냐”라며 의구심을 제기했다. 윤석열 정부 출범 후 대장동 1차 수사실무를 총괄했던 검사들이 교체되면서, 이번 항소 포기 결정이 정치적 영향력 아래 이뤄졌다는 지적도 있다.
Various interpretations are being made both within and outside the prosecution regarding this incident. Some prosecutors have questioned whether this is a situation where rational evaluation is possible. There are also suggestions that the decision to abandon the appeal was made under political influence, as the prosecutors who led the initial Daejang-dong investigation were replaced after the Yoon Seok-yeol government took office.
이번 사태는 대장동 사건 수사와 관련된 검사들의 책임론이 다시 불거지는 계기가 되었다. 노 전 대행, 정 전 지검장과 함께 박 지검장의 책임론도 제기되고 있다. 이들은 20대 대선을 앞두고 대장동 1차 수사실무를 총괄했으나, 윤석열 정부 출범 후 교체됐다.
This incident has become a catalyst for the responsibility of the prosecutors involved in the Daejang-dong case investigation to be questioned again. The responsibility of former Acting Prosecutor General Roh, former Prosecutor General Jeong, and Prosecutor Park is also being raised. They led the initial Daejang-dong investigation before the 20th presidential election, but were replaced after the Yoon Seok-yeol government took office.
검찰 안팎에서는 이번 항소 포기 결정이 정치적 영향력 아래 이뤄졌다는 지적이 나오고 있다. 윤석열 정부 출범 후 대장동 수사 실무를 맡았던 검사들이 교체되면서, 이번 결정이 정치적 의도에 따른 것이라는 해석이 제기되고 있다.
Both within and outside the prosecution, there are suggestions that the decision to abandon the appeal was made under political influence. Since the prosecutors who handled the Daejang-dong investigation were replaced after the Yoon Seok-yeol government took office, the interpretation that this decision was driven by political motives is being raised.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- What is the main controversy surrounding the prosecution’s decision to abandon the appeal in the Daejang-dong corruption case?
- How have President Lee Jae-myung and Justice Minister Jeong Jin-woong responded to the prosecution’s decision?
- What are some of the different interpretations and criticisms regarding the prosecution’s decision to abandon the appeal?
- How has the responsibility of the prosecutors involved in the initial Daejang-dong investigation been questioned?
- What is the suggestion that the decision to abandon the appeal was made under political influence?
5. Cultural and historical notes
The Daejang-dong corruption case is a high-profile investigation into a real estate development project in the Daejang-dong area. The controversy surrounding the prosecution’s decision to abandon the appeal reflects the ongoing tensions and power dynamics between the current government and the prosecution, which have been a recurring theme in South Korean politics.