Minju: "Yoon Seok-yeol Must Accept the Exercise of Investigation Control Authority"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The Democratic Party of Korea has pressured Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol to "make a decision" to accept Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's exercise of investigative authority. Meanwhile, the United Future Party is preparing to propose an impeachment motion against Minister Choo.

On this day, the Democratic Party argued that Prosecutor General Yoon, who convened a meeting of all chief prosecutors nationwide, should accept Minister Choo's exercise of investigative authority. Seol Hoon, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, appeared on YTN Radio and said, "Isn't the issue also related to Prosecutor General Yoon's family? Given the situations involving his mother-in-law and wife, he should humbly accept this situation," adding, "If he continues to resist like this, it won't help at all. I believe he must make a decision." He also emphasized, "Article 8 of the Prosecutors' Office Act stipulates that the Prosecutor General must follow the instructions given by the Minister. Since Han Dong-hoon, a close aide of Prosecutor General Yoon, is involved along with family matters, it is common sense to only receive the final report."

Kim Jong-min, a Democratic Party lawmaker on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, also appeared on tbs Radio and said, "This time, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office investigation team is conducting an investigation related to a close aide of the Prosecutor General with the same mindset as Prosecutor Yoon in 2013, but they are being told not to investigate."

However, the Democratic Party refrained from commenting on Prosecutor General Yoon's position. Chairman Yoon clarified his previous statement that "Prosecutor General Yoon must make a decision for the organization" by saying, "It was meant that the special prosecutor must make a decision." He emphasized, "I never said that he should decide to resign. Discussing such an issue regarding a Prosecutor General whose two-year term is guaranteed is itself inappropriate." When asked if Minister Choo's exercise of investigative authority is widely interpreted as a signal for Prosecutor General Yoon to resign, he firmly replied, "That is not true at all. It is an excessive interpretation."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, strongly opposed the ruling party's repeated pressure on Prosecutor General Yoon. On this day, Floor Leader Joo said, "Does the ruling party have the authority to demand acceptance of investigative authority or to hand over the Prosecutor General position? This is almost gangster-like behavior," sharply criticizing them.

Meanwhile, the United Future Party has announced plans to propose an impeachment motion against Minister Choo. Floor Leader Joo Ho-young held a press conference the previous day and stated, "We will submit the impeachment motion as early as tomorrow (the 3rd). Minister Choo has abused her investigative authority and exercised illegal investigative authority multiple times, violating the Prosecutors' Office Act repeatedly, so the grounds for impeachment are more than sufficient," he claimed.