Choo Mi-ae's 'Prosecutor Personnel' Expands into Political Sphere... "Correcting Imbalance" vs "Purge Close to Political Witch Hunt"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is arriving at the Ministry of Justice in the Government Complex Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, on the 8th, when the Prosecutor Personnel Committee is scheduled to meet. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] On the 8th, the ruling and opposition parties showed starkly different stances regarding the sudden 'Choo Mi-ae-style' high-level prosecution personnel reshuffle.

The ruling party evaluated it as a 'will for prosecutorial reform,' emphasizing that it is the exclusive authority of the Minister of Justice. On the other hand, the Liberty Korea Party strongly opposed it using harsh expressions such as 'purge' and 'personal coup' along with the term 'sahwa (士禍)' after the leadership investigating the Blue House allegations was replaced. They also announced plans to file charges against Minister Choo for abuse of power. Among the minor parties classified as pro-government, only the Justice Party uniquely supported this personnel reshuffle.

The Democratic Party of Korea focused on the appropriateness of the appointments in their evaluation. Floor leader Lee In-young expressed his welcome at the morning floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th, saying, "This personnel reshuffle appointed prosecutors from the criminal trial division, which constitutes the vast majority of the prosecution organization, correcting the imbalance caused by concentration in a specific network."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He rather criticized Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, stating, "The behavior shown by the prosecution during the personnel process was very inappropriate," and emphasized, "While the Prosecutor General can give opinions, the final personnel decisions and recommendations are the exclusive authority of the Minister of Justice." He added, "It is very regrettable that this caused misunderstandings as if it were a power struggle," and "Obeying the personnel orders of the appointing authority is the greatest duty of a public official."

On the other hand, Liberty Korea Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn launched a fierce attack, calling it a "purge close to sahwa (士禍)." He said, "Looking at the content, it was a retaliatory personnel move against prosecutors investigating corruption in the Moon Jae-in administration," and "It was oppression against prosecutors investigating the Moon administration and an attempt to neutralize investigations of close aides to obstruct the investigation." He expressed displeasure with Minister Choo’s personnel reshuffle using words like 'purge' and 'neutralization of the prosecution.'

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th and delivering a speech. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Floor leader Shim Jae-cheol also said, "This was a sinister plan to turn Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, who is narrowing the investigation toward the Blue House core, into a puppet," and "For this alone, President Moon and Minister Choo deserve impeachment," sharpening his criticism. The Liberty Korea Party plans to file criminal charges against Minister Choo for obstruction of business and abuse of authority.

The Bareunmirae Party, which showed a pro-government tendency, also joined the criticism. Acting floor leader Lee Dong-seop said, "Despite extreme opposition from the opposition parties, appointing Prosecutor General Yoon was like self-inflicting a scandal," and criticized, "The possibility that investigations into allegations against the current administration, such as Blue House interference in the Ulsan mayoral election and the cover-up of the inspection of former Busan Deputy Mayor Yoo Jae-soo, will fizzle out has become very high." Yoo Sung-yeop, chairman of the Alternative New Party’s preparatory committee, also condemned it as "truly shameful and disgraceful personnel."

On the other hand, the Justice Party defended the personnel authority. Spokesperson Yoo Sang-jin said in a verbal statement, "Since personnel decisions are the exclusive authority of the minister, we respect this personnel reshuffle," and emphasized, "As the prosecution has repeatedly caused political controversies that have lost public trust, we hope this will be an opportunity for the prosecution to be reborn as an institution trusted by the people."