[Politics, That Day...] Prosecutor Yoon Seok-yeol, the "Prosecutor General's Flower Path" Provided by President Moon

Ten Days Before the Presidential Election, Yoon Seok-yeol Appointed as Seoul Central District Prosecutor Chief... Fiery Confirmation Hearings Last July, Roles Reversed Between Ruling and Opposition Parties After One Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] ‘Politics, That Day…’ is a series planning corner that looks back on Korean politics through the ‘recollection of memories’ related to noteworthy scenes, events, or figures.

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is responding to questions from lawmakers during the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee's inspection of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office held on the 17th at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

“By the prosecution promotion personnel appointment, Prosecutor Yoon Seok-yeol was appointed as the Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.” The announcement of the appointment of the Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office by the Blue House on May 19, 2017, surprised everyone. President Moon Jae-in selected Prosecutor Yoon Seok-yeol, a rank-and-file prosecutor, for the key position of Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

It was the moment he rose to the position known as the ‘flower of prosecutors.’ President Moon thus became a strong supporter of Prosecutor Yoon Seok-yeol. If it were not for President Moon, Yoon Seok-yeol’s public service career might have remained limited to the position of Chief Prosecutor of Yeoju Branch.

The position of Chief Prosecutor is not one that just anyone can attain. Even Woo Byung-woo, former Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Blue House, who was considered a powerful figure during the Park Geun-hye administration, failed to cross the threshold to become a Chief Prosecutor and had to leave the prosecutor’s office. Why did President Moon lead Prosecutor Yoon Seok-yeol onto a path of success just ten days after the presidential election?

“The promotion personnel appointment was made to appoint the right person to smoothly carry out the additional investigation of the Choi Soon-sil gate and the prosecution of related cases, which are the biggest current issues of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.” This was the Blue House’s explanation. The fact that everyone knew but had forgotten is that the person who made Prosecutor Yoon Seok-yeol who he is today was President Moon.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The appointment of Yoon Seok-yeol as Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office was a prelude to his appointment as Prosecutor General. As ‘expected,’ Prosecutor Yoon Seok-yeol was eventually nominated as a candidate for Prosecutor General. That position was also decided by President Moon’s choice.

Exactly one year ago, in July 2019, the National Assembly confirmation hearing for Prosecutor General nominee Yoon Seok-yeol concluded amid fierce confrontations between the ruling and opposition parties. The Democratic Party of Korea mounted a strong defense, while the Liberty Korea Party continued sharp criticism.

“Prosecutor General nominee Yoon Seok-yeol is the right person to transform the prosecution into one that works with the people as the head of the prosecution.” This was the statement delivered by then Democratic Party floor leader Lee In-young on July 9, 2017, the day after the National Assembly confirmation hearing. One year ago, the Democratic Party tried to cover up various suspicions surrounding Prosecutor Yoon Seok-yeol. Although there were some controversies during the hearing process, they said it was not enough to hinder him from performing the duties of Prosecutor General.

On the other hand, the Liberty Korea Party judged that he was not a person who should serve as Prosecutor General. On July 9 last year, floor leader Na Kyung-won said at a floor strategy meeting, “The confirmation hearing for Prosecutor General nominee Yoon Seok-yeol was a day-long carnival of lies that mocked the people,” and “We urge him to immediately resign from the candidacy.”

Tension is mounting at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 7th, as Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is about to announce his position on whether to accept the investigation command authority regarding the so-called 'suspicion of collusion between prosecutors and media.' Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Liberty Korea Party exerted efforts to block Yoon Seok-yeol’s inauguration as Prosecutor General but failed to achieve their goal.

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol began his two-year term with an inauguration ceremony on July 25 last year.

The two-year term for the Prosecutor General was stipulated to ensure that he would not be swayed by external pressure and could perform his original role. The evaluation of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol changed 180 degrees in one year. The opposition party mounted a strong defense of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, while the ruling party is effectively urging his resignation.

The controversy over the ‘investigation directive authority’ with Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae was settled when the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office accepted Minister Choo’s will, but the embers of conflict remain. Whether Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol will complete his term until July next year or step down midway remains to be seen.

What is clear is that if a situation arises where Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol cannot complete his term, the ruling party will not be able to avoid the aftershocks. Who was the person who provided the flower path for Prosecutor Yoon Seok-yeol? Who was the person who defended him amid the confirmation hearing controversy and insisted that he was the right person for Prosecutor General?