People attend a rally demanding prosecution reform near the Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office in Seoul
Protest demanding prosecution reform, October 12, 2019 : South Koreans attend a rally demanding prosecution reform near the Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office in Seoul, South Korea. Tens of thousands of people held a peaceful street candlelight vigil to support Justice Minister Cho Kuk and to denounce Prosecutor-General Yoon Seok-Youl. Prosecutors have been investigating into allegations against Cho's family which were mostly raised by opposition parties and some news outlets. People at the rally vowed to defend Cho and President Moon Jae-In, arguing that the influential prosecution is attempting to force minister Cho to quit in protest against prosecution reform. People accused the prosecution of abusing its authority and deliberately leaking information related to the ongoing probe to the media ahead of any trial. Moon's former aide Cho is an architect of the liberal government's prosecution reform scheme including creating an independent unit to investigate corruption by high-ranking government officials and granting police more authority. Signs read,"Defending Cho Kuk" and "Prosecution Reform". (Photo by Lee Jae-Won/AFLO) (SOUTH KOREA)