Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl has effectively accepted Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's order to back off from a controversial case involving one of Yoon's key aides. 

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office said on Thursday that the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office will investigate the alleged collusion between a senior prosecutor and a now fired TV reporter. 

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office added it has notified the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office of the decision. The district office had previously been investigating the case.

It made the announcement, explaining that Yoon lost his authority to command the investigation due to the minister's exercise of authority over the case. 

On Wednesday, the justice minister rejected Yoon's proposal to create an "independent" investigative team to handle the collusion case. Yoon recommended that the chief of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office lead the team. 

Regarding the proposal, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office said that after Choo wielded her authority last week, the Justice Ministry made the proposal first. It said Yoon fully accepted the proposal and was requested by the ministry on Tuesday to make the recommendation publicly.