Yun Hojung Responds to Joo Hoeyoung's Criticism:
Says "The Moon Administration Has Worked Harder Than Any Other to Ensure Fairness"
Yun Hojung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, last April, offering a public apology regarding the resignation of Busan Mayor Oh Keodon following a sexual harassment incident involving a female public official. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy, reporter Kang Juhee] Yun Hojung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized Joo Hoeyoung, the floor leader of the People Power Party, for his remarks attacking President Moon Jaein by saying, "He does not even deserve to speak of fairness." Yun called Joo's comments "extremely rude."
In an interview on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyungrae's Strongest Current Affairs' on the 22nd, Yun said, "Is it appropriate to question the President's qualifications for what he said in a discussion about the future with young people? Such an argument is hardly reasonable," he said.
Previously, on the 21st, Joo, at an emergency countermeasures committee meeting, criticized President Moon by saying, "It is unbelievable that he talks about fairness 37 times after completely breaking fairness," and added, "With Cho Kuk and Choo Mi-ae as Ministers of Justice, if he felt even a little bit of shame, he would not dare to speak of fairness."
Yun went on to say, "I can confidently say that, at least when it comes to fairness, this government has worked more thoroughly than previous administrations to enhance fairness," and argued, "The cases cited by the opposition and their supporters as undermining fairness are largely excessive political attacks."
Regarding President Moon and Minister Choo entering together at the strategy meeting for reforming the National Intelligence Service, prosecution, and police held at the Blue House, Yun said, "There is no special meaning to it," and explained, "At events attended by the President, it is customary for the highest-ranking official in terms of protocol to go to the door to greet and escort the President. Minister Choo simply performed that role."
As for interpretations that President Moon was showing support for Minister Choo, Yun said, "There are always people who see it that way," and added, "If, instead of a minister, there had been a vice prime minister-level official present, the vice prime minister-not Minister Choo-would have gone to greet and escort the President."
On the issue of the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), Yun emphasized, "I believe it should be established before January 1 next year, so that it can be launched together with the separation of prosecutorial and police investigative powers and the reformed prosecution organization," and added, "To achieve this, the appointment of the CIO chief should be completed by at least November, not just by the end of the regular National Assembly session."
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