The prosecution has reportedly decided to investigate suspicions that Vice Justice Minister Lee Yong-gu dodged punishment after assaulting a taxi driver. 

According to the legal community on Tuesday, Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office will summon the heads of two conservative civic groups that filed criminal complaints against the vice minister for questioning. 

The move comes after a court effectively invalidated the two-month suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl handed out over alleged misconduct by a Justice Ministry disciplinary panel that includes Lee, although it is in response to growing criticism of police handling of a case involving a high-ranking government official. 

In early November, Lee, who at the time was a lawyer, was questioned by the police after he grabbed a taxi driver by the collar when the driver tried to wake him up in front of his apartment complex in southern Seoul. 

Under a revised law, anyone who assaults or threatens a driver while the vehicle is in operation faces a prison sentence of up to five years or a fine of up to 20 million won. 

Lee, however, avoided punishment after police concluded the case amounted to common assault not subject to the tougher law.

The two civic groups have accused police of dropping their preliminary investigation into the case in a questionable manner and are demanding that the truth be brought to light.