Choo Mi-ae: "It's Not That I Defeated Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol... Justice Must Be 'Cheon-eu-mu-bong'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Choo Mi-ae, Minister of Justice, emphasized that the prosecution's investigation into the allegations of collusion between prosecutors and the media must be conducted properly, using the idiom "Cheonui Mubong (天衣無縫)."

She also added that the conflict with Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol over the authority to direct the investigation into these allegations should not be viewed from the perspective of a contest, nor should it be a subject of compromise or bargaining.

On the 10th, Minister Choo posted on her social media account, "There should be no obstacles or sanctuaries in the investigation of the allegations of collusion between prosecutors and the media," and stated, "I have consistently made this clear. The media and political circles have framed the situation as a conflict between the Minister and the Prosecutor General and have bet on the outcome, but that has been outside of my concern. I do not stake myself on winning or losing against anyone. I only make my position clear on what is right or wrong and fulfill my responsibility."

She continued, "From the perspective of a contest, compromise might have been possible," adding, "It would have been easier to evade the issue with a false equivalence argument. However, this matter must be set right and was never a subject for compromise or bargaining."

Therefore, she said, "As I have emphasized from the beginning not to be shaken no matter how much the media pressures, the Ministry of Justice would never propose an independent investigative body behind the Minister's back," and added, "The media and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office should refrain from fabrications."

Minister Choo wrote, "It is not appropriate to label the essence of right and wrong as a conflict between the Minister and the Prosecutor General or to call it a reconciliation of conflict," and stated, "Fairness and justice must be Cheonui Mubong (天衣無縫). Our path is to set things right by conducting a proper investigation and reaching a correct conclusion."

Cheonui Mubong is an idiom meaning that the fairy's clothes have no sewn seams, symbolizing something very natural and unpretentious in character or behavior.