[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] A Blue House petition demanding the impeachment of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae has garnered over 200,000 signatures. Among them, former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon stated on the 14th, "It is natural that Minister Choo Mi-ae is ranked number one as the person ruining the administration."
Former Professor Jin wrote on his Facebook that day, "It seems she played an important role in the decline of approval ratings, comparable to the housing prices."
He added, "Although she was ranked first among those who saved the administration, that is only the opinion of the 'Ddakgae-moon' (a derogatory term for supporters of President Moon Jae-in). The ones who saved the Moon Jae-in administration were not the lawmakers or ministers but the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency led by Director Jeong Eun-kyeong."
He also said, "President Moon Jae-in may have many regrets in this life, but at least in his past lives, he must have saved the country several times."
Meanwhile, on the 14th of last month, a petition titled 'Impeachment of Minister Choo Mi-ae' was posted on the Blue House petition board. The petition received 219,068 signatures by the 13th, meeting the threshold for an official government response before closing.
The petitioner claimed, "Ignoring the dignity of President Moon Jae-in and the entire nation, she acted as if she were a king, saying 'the chief prosecutors or the Prosecutor General are defying me.' She is arrogant and unprecedented among justice ministers. I hereby petition for her impeachment."
Minister of Justice nominee Choo Mi-ae is smiling during the Legislative and Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the morning of December 30 last year. Photo by Yonhap News
Earlier, on the 20th of last month, the United Future Party and the People's Party jointly submitted an impeachment motion against Minister Choo.
Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, said, "Minister Choo not only violated the law by abusing various powers under the Prosecutors' Office Act but also damaged her dignity. She committed more violations and dignity damage than any previous justice minister and undermined the independence of investigations."
The impeachment motion was put to a vote in the National Assembly plenary session on the 23rd of last month. Out of 292 members present, 109 voted in favor, 179 against, and 4 invalid, resulting in rejection.
Meanwhile, according to Article 65 of the Constitution, impeachment of a Cabinet member requires the approval of more than half of the total members (151 or more).
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