Joo Ho-young: "President Moon, Dismiss Minister Choo Mi-ae... Impeach If Not Done"

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, holds a press conference at the National Assembly on the 2nd regarding the demand for the dismissal of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, stated on the 2nd, "President Moon Jae-in should immediately dismiss Justice Minister Chu Mi-ae, who has engaged in unlawful behavior," adding, "If the president does not take action, Minister Chu will be impeached by the National Assembly."

At a press conference held at the National Assembly communication office on the afternoon of the 2nd, Floor Leader Joo said, "Minister Chu has forgotten her duty as the highest authority of the Ministry of Justice," and "She is putting all her efforts into ousting Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl on the grounds of investigating the corruption of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk's family, the cover-up of the inspection case, and the Blue House's interference in the Ulsan mayoral election," he said.

Floor Leader Joo pointed out, "In fact, Minister Chu, immediately after taking office in January this year, carried out retaliatory personnel appointments that obstructed investigations into government and ruling party figures without even listening to the Prosecutor General's opinion," and added, "Despite our party's proposal of an impeachment motion against Minister Chu in January, she has repeated such illegal acts without any reflection."

Floor Leader Joo added, "Minister Chu ordered the inspection department to directly investigate the complaint case related to former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook's bribery, which was being handled by the human rights department of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office," calling it "a violation of Article 8 of the Prosecutors' Office Act."

Floor Leader Joo stated, "Minister Chu excluded and demoted senior prosecutors simply because complaints were received regarding the alleged collusion between prosecutors and the media," and "Today, she even exercised her investigative directive authority to order Prosecutor General Yoon to 'stop the convening of the professional investigation advisory group.'"

Floor Leader Joo said, "The purpose of enacting Article 8 of the Prosecutors' Office Act is to minimize the intervention and command of the Minister of Justice, which is the spirit of the law," and added, "She has publicly warned that she will make a decision if the situation becomes unbearable. Now, the public has reached a point where they can no longer stand by."

Floor Leader Joo stated, "Minister Chu has abandoned the heavy responsibility of upholding the rule of law," and "Instead of firmly guaranteeing the independence and neutrality of the prosecution and blocking political interference, she has used her position and power to undermine the prosecution's independence and neutrality."