Democratic Party Floor Spokesperson: "Yoon Seok-yeol's Remarks Were Fundamentally General Statements"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The floor spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea responded to Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's remarks describing the prosecution as a "dictatorship disguised as democracy" by saying it could be seen as "a fundamentally theoretical comment." This appears to be an attempt not to interpret it as an attack on the administration.

On the 4th, Hong Jeong-min, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, appeared on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' and said, "Yesterday, at the new prosecutors' oath ceremony, Prosecutor General Yoon emphasized procedural justice, respect for human rights in criminal law enforcement, and constitutional principles such as liberal democracy and fair competition." He added, "Personally, I think that focusing only on that part of his remarks, it can be sufficiently seen as a fundamentally theoretical comment on the attitude prosecutors should naturally maintain, including myself as a legal professional, rather than an expression of feelings about recent situations."

He continued, "Since the prosecution currently holds overwhelming power by monopolizing indictment and investigation rights, I think the intention is that they should approach their duties more strictly and cautiously." He added, "In fact, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) has been established, and the adjustment of investigative rights between the police and prosecution has been implemented, so power institution reforms are being well promoted. However, since the prosecution remains powerful, they should consider human rights more and take democracy more seriously. I want to interpret it this way."

Regarding follow-up bills related to the CIO, he said, "These include the Personnel Hearing Act, the National Assembly Act, and the operational rules for the CIO chief candidate recommendation committee. These are practical bills necessary for the normal implementation of the CIO Act." He explained, "For example, including the CIO chief as a subject of personnel hearings and assigning the Judiciary Committee as the standing committee responsible for the hearings are technical matters far from substantive discussions on power institution reforms. In the future, regarding power institution reforms, if the United Future Party expresses its position sufficiently in the Judiciary Committee or the Public Administration and Security Committee, we will listen carefully and seek common ground."