In the New Year, the Korean Party Continues Criticism of 'Prosecutor Personnel'... "The Corruption Investigation Office is a Cover-up Agency" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Choi Kang-wook, Secretary for Public Office Discipline at the Blue House, was strongly criticized by the Liberty Korea Party for mentioning the investigation of the Prosecutor General by the High-ranking Officials' Corruption Investigation Unit (PCC), in relation to his own indictment. The party said it was an attempt to "tighten the noose on prosecutors through the PCC." They also demanded the dismissal of Lee Sung-yoon, the Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, who sparked controversy over the 'Yoon Seok-yeol passing' issue.

Seong Il-jong, the Liberty Korea Party's floor spokesman, stated in a commentary on the 26th, "This is proof that the PCC is not a 'Corruption Investigation Unit' but a 'Corruption Concealment Unit,'" adding, "It honestly reveals the true intention behind this administration's push for the PCC Act."

Seong said, "They intend to imprison all prosecutors investigating them through the PCC to conceal all their corrupt activities," and added, "Now I fully understand why this administration has pushed the PCC Act despite committing all sorts of illegal acts. They want to hold the prosecutors' leashes through the PCC and then comfortably commit corruption."

Regarding the Blue House's statement that Secretary Choi will continue to serve as Secretary for Public Office Discipline, he said, "It seems not public office discipline but corruption discipline will be restored," and urged, "The government and ruling party should promptly rename the PCC to 'Corruption Concealment Unit.'"

Seong continued his criticism regarding the Yoon Seok-yeol passing controversy. He said, "This chief prosecutor bypassed all senior prosecutors and reported only to Minister Chu Mi-ae. This is a clear case of insubordination," demanding his immediate dismissal.

He added, "Since the Moon administration began, this chief prosecutor has risen through the ranks from head of the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, to Director of the Prosecutor's Office at the Ministry of Justice, and finally to Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. He is the first prosecutor in 22 years to have held all three of these 'Big 3 key positions' that every prosecutor dreams of," and said, "The presidential authority over prosecutorial appointments has, under this government, granted extraordinary privileges to this chief prosecutor."

Seong pointed out, "It would be good if this chief prosecutor's career was solely due to his abilities, but all that is known about him is that he is a junior from Kyung Hee University's law school under President Moon Jae-in," and added, "I hope President Moon's favoritism towards juniors is not excessive, and that the recent actions of this chief prosecutor are not attempts to repay his senior's overwhelming affection."

He continued, "Minister Chu Mi-ae must never overlook this insubordination," and said, "She made a fuss about Prosecutor General Yoon not coming within 30 minutes despite being summoned, accusing him of disobeying orders, so why is there no word about this insubordination? Immediately dismiss this chief prosecutor," he concluded.