Minister Choo Mi-ae Continues Relentless Offensive Against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol... "If It's Harder to Watch, Decision Will Be Made" (Comprehensive)

On the afternoon of the 1st, Choo Mi-ae, Minister of Justice, attends and responds at the plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] On the 1st, Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae continued her relentless offensive against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol at the National Assembly.

Minister Choo said, "I have been watching (Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol) until now, but if it becomes difficult to continue watching, I will make a decision when it is time to decide," suggesting that she might take special measures regarding the investigation command of the prosecution-media collusion case or the status of Prosecutor General Yoon.

Minister Choo made these remarks during an emergency inquiry session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, in response to a question from Choi Ki-sang, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, asking her to share her thoughts on the allegations of prosecution-media collusion.

Regarding the recent conflict between the Supreme Prosecutors' Office led by Prosecutor General Yoon and the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office over the investigation into the 'prosecution-media collusion' allegations, Minister Choo said, "The clash between the two institutions is amplifying public discomfort and concerns," and added, "I express my concerns and apologies."

The previous day, the Central District Prosecutors' Office announced, "We recommended to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to suspend the related procedures, citing that convening the expert investigation advisory panel is inappropriate in terms of timing and investigation security, and that holding it simultaneously with the Prosecution Investigation Deliberation Committee creates an abnormal and confusing situation."

They also added, "Considering the special nature of this case involving allegations against high-ranking prosecutors and the public's concerns, we recommended granting the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office independence equivalent to that of a 'special prosecutor' in performing their duties."

In response, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office immediately pointed out, "It is difficult to understand the claim that 'the substantive truth and facts have not been sufficiently clarified' now, after reporting the plan to request an arrest warrant to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office."

They further stated, "Requesting independence equivalent to that of a special prosecutor while failing to persuade on the existence of the crime is a claim that disregards the basic principle that investigations, due to their human rights-infringing nature, proceed under the command and approval of higher authorities," clearly expressing their refusal to accept the Central District Prosecutors' Office's recommendation.

Seemingly aware of this uncomfortable situation, Lee Sung-yoon, Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, replaced the scheduled weekly report on Prosecutor General Yoon in the afternoon with a written report.

When Kim Nam-guk, a Democratic Party member, requested that the prosecution-media collusion allegations be investigated by a special prosecutor, Minister Choo responded, "We will consider it comprehensively," adding, "It is difficult to give an answer immediately because the investigation is not yet complete."

Also, when Kim Jin-ae of the Open Democratic Party asked, "The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office is requesting independence equivalent to that of a special prosecutor; is there nothing the minister can do?" she replied, "They are probably appealing to create an investigative environment because they said they would arrest the suspect identified as the main culprit during the investigation, but the advisory panel is directing the investigation."

Regarding the intensified controversy over the exercise of investigation command rights surrounding Prosecutor General Yoon, Minister Choo said, "Sometimes I feel powerless."

In response to Kim Jin-ae's remark that "It is black comedy that the sitting Prosecutor General is being mentioned as a presidential candidate of the opposition," she said, "I do not pay attention to that part," avoiding specific comments.

Meanwhile, Minister Choo also expressed regret over recent media reports on the prosecution's investigation into allegations that her son failed to return from military leave.

She urged, "I am once again amazed at how serious the prosecution-media collusion is. My child has served in the military diligently without missing a single day. My child is very angry and sad, shedding tears. Please do not touch this any further."