Lee Nak-yeon "Yoon Seok-yeol Crosses Boundaries of His Role Whenever He Is About to Be Forgotten"

Lee Nak-yeon, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, is speaking after receiving a report on the flood situation at Juksan Township Office in Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, on the afternoon of the 4th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 13th, Rep. Lee Nak-yeon, who is challenging for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, said about Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, "There have been times when he seemed to cross the boundaries of his duties whenever we almost forgot about it. I hope such incidents do not happen anymore."

On the same day, Rep. Lee appeared on CBS Radio's 'Sisa Jaki Jung Kwan-yong' and said, "When I hear some of (Prosecutor General Yoon's) occasional remarks, there are cases where it is hard to see them as statements from someone faithful to their duties."

When the host asked, "Is it because of recent controversial remarks about dictatorship and such?" Rep. Lee replied, "I don't want to nitpick each and every remark. I will speak in general terms."

Earlier, on the 3rd, Prosecutor General Yoon said at the new prosecutors' commissioning ceremony, "The core value of our constitution, liberal democracy, is not about ignoring equality and only emphasizing freedom. It refers to true democracy that rejects dictatorship and totalitarianism disguised as democracy," adding, "Liberal democracy is realized through the rule of law."

Prosecutor General Yoon continued, "In particular, we must keep in mind that all citizens are potential stakeholders and victims of corruption and power-related crimes, and under no circumstances should we turn a blind eye but confront them boldly, exercising the law enforcement authority entrusted by the people strictly." This message came about a month after Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae exercised her investigative directive, excluding Prosecutor General Yoon from the investigation into the 'prosecutor-media collusion' allegations.

Regarding these remarks, Rep. Lee pointed out, "(Prosecutor General Yoon) eventually accepted (Minister Choo's) investigative directive within ten days concerning the prosecutor-media collusion issue," and added, "If that was the case, I wonder why he didn't accept it quietly and instead made such a fuss."

He further criticized, "To put it simply, the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor General have a superior-subordinate relationship. Of course, there is a question of whether it is a strictly vertical relationship or if some independence is recognized, but the very situation where conflicts or disputes arise between the two is inappropriate."

Additionally, Rep. Lee commented on Prosecutor General Yoon being mentioned as a presidential candidate for the opposition in the next presidential election, saying, "I don't know well. That is his own choice," and added, "Whatever choice he makes is his free will, but if he is in that position (Prosecutor General), I think it is his duty to be faithful to his role."