ⓒYONHAP News

President Moon Jae-in sent a warning signal to the prosecution over its investigation of Justice Minister Cho Kuk.

Presidential spokesperson Ko Min-jung on Friday delivered Moon's message in the wake of the prosecution's search of Cho's residence earlier this week.

"The prosecution must reflect on the reality of rising demand for prosecutorial reform despite its unhindered all-out investigation..."

The president was cited as urging restraint amid the ongoing probe into Cho's family.

"The reform of the prosecution should not only involve the establishment of an [investigative agency for high-level officials] and the rearrangement of its investigative rights but also reforming how the prosecution exercises its power and its investigative customs. As the prosecution directly exercises state authority to the public, it is important that it carries out its duties strictly but in a restrained manner that respects human rights."

During a parliamentary question-and-answer session on Thursday, Cho admitted that he spoke with a prosecutor who raided his residence as his wife put him on the phone.

(Liberty Korea Party Rep. Joo Kwang-deok: Did you speak on the phone with the chief prosecutor of the [raid] team when the prosecution raided your residence?)

Justice Minister Cho Kuk: "Yes. My wife was a bit shocked and called me, saying that there was a raid. So I asked for a 'calming down'."

"I asked him to help my wife find composure as she was not in a good physical or mental condition. I did not hinder the search or make instructions about the search." 

Cho denied suspicions that he attempted to influence the probe, but the latest revelations ignited another round of political wrangling over his qualifications.

Amid the spiraling controversy over his appointment, Moon also asked politicians to leave the probe to the prosecution and to focus on state affairs.