Choi Kang-wook on Yoon Seok-yeol's Silence: "Forgetting Position and Duty... Actions Calculated for Political Gain"

Choi Kang-wook, Leader of the Open Democratic Party Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, targeted Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who remained silent on Justice Minister Chu Mi-ae's demand to comply with investigation directives, on the 8th, calling it "the behavior politicians exhibit when facing a crisis."

On the same day, Choi appeared on KBS1's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Choi Kang Current Affairs' and said, "Unbelievable things keep happening. Rather than reviewing the minister's tenure as a public official, it seems we have entered the political stage."

He added, "There are no clear countermeasures, and contrary to expectations, this is not a situation where people inside the prosecution are rallying to blindly support him, so he is now meeting with outsiders to hear their opinions. The issue is whether he can manage this situation with less embarrassment, but ultimately, it seems he is trying to portray himself as a 'political scapegoat.' It appears to be a move he judges to be politically beneficial to himself."

He continued, "This incident stems from Prosecutor General Yoon forgetting his position and duties, overstepping his authority, and defying orders. The person who initially worried about the fairness of the investigation was the Prosecutor General. The person who said he should not intervene because it involved his closest aides was the Prosecutor General," he pointed out.

Yoon Seok-yeol, Prosecutor General [Photo by Yonhap News]

Regarding the speculation that Prosecutor General Yoon would propose the introduction of a special prosecutor, he emphasized, "It is clearly a disciplinary reason for disobedience to orders," adding, "The minister explicitly stated that the special prosecutor option is no longer viable because the timing has passed and issued written directives. Talking about a special prosecutor is an explicit act of defiance."

He continued, "Isn't this a bit too much now? His strange behavior is enough to raise suspicions that he might be acting because he is personally involved in something," he added.

Earlier, on the 2nd, Minister Chu issued an official document instructing Prosecutor General Yoon to step away from the investigation into allegations of collusion between prosecutors and media. The document reportedly also included orders to halt the convening of the expert advisory panel related to the investigation.

However, Prosecutor General Yoon has yet to release an official statement.

In response, the Ministry of Justice increased pressure on the 7th, stating, "Do not hesitate or waver; promptly implement the directives as documented," targeting Prosecutor General Yoon.

Subsequently, on the 8th, Minister Chu emphasized in a statement, "Public and private cannot coexist. Right and wrong cannot coexist," adding, "A week has already passed. We will wait one more day until 10 a.m. on the 9th. We await the Prosecutor General's wise judgment."