Jo Hae-jin: "Yoon Seok-yeol, Jo Guk Already Gave the Answer... 'Filing Illegal and Unfair Objections Is a Natural Duty'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Jo Hae-jin, a member of the Future United Party, said regarding Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's lack of response to Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's exercise of investigative command authority, "Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk has already given the answer."

On the 8th, Jo appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "The Ministry of Justice's intention is to exclude the prosecution from investigative command and to exclude Prosecutor General Yoon from the upcoming power-related corruption investigations, and furthermore, if possible, to oust him from his position."

He quoted former Minister Cho Kuk's social network service (SNS) statement during the National Intelligence Service comment investigation, saying, "There is a clear answer to this part: when a superior's order is illegal or unjust, objecting to it is not insubordination but a natural duty as a public official." Jo added, "Of course, this was said seven years ago," and "At that time, it was specifically about the relationship between the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution."

Jo said, "The current administration has given that answer. In the past, when a superior in the public service gave an illegal or unjust order and a subordinate followed it, the superior was punished, but the subordinate was exempted due to a special power relationship. However, the current government has completely reversed this," adding, "In this case as well, if Prosecutor General Yoon follows illegal or unjust orders, then all the illegal and unlawful orders Minister Choo is throwing out frequently will become problematic, and the Prosecutor General would become an accomplice."

Regarding Prosecutor General Yoon's lack of response to Minister Choo's exercise of investigative command authority, he explained, "From the prosecution's perspective, it is obvious that Minister Choo is taking the lead and the ruling party is fully mobilizing with a clear intention," and said, "If the Prosecutor General accepts orders to reduce or exclude his investigative command duties, investigations will become difficult; if he does not accept them, they will push for insubordination charges and oust him. Knowing this tactic well, he is trying not to get caught up in it."