The Democratic Party Criticizes Yoon Seok-yeol's 'Response Attitude'... Opposition Says, "'You're Writing Novels' Was Better Than Chu Mi-ae"

Prosecutor General Yoon's 'Determined Remarks' at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Audit on the 22nd
Criticizes Ruling Party Lawmakers' Attitude: "3 Minutes of Questions, 7 Minutes of Answers"
Opposition: "Much More Courteous Than Chu Mi-ae" Rebuttal

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is responding during the Supreme Prosecutors' Office audit held by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 22nd. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] On the 22nd, when members of the ruling Democratic Party belonging to the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee criticized Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's attitude in response during the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's national audit, opposition party members countered by saying he was "much more polite than Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae."

At 10 a.m. during the audit, Prosecutor General Yoon, faced with questions from lawmakers, delivered what was described as "deliberate remarks." When Democratic Party lawmaker Park Beom-gye raised his voice, saying, "Unfortunately, I have come to doubt the sense of justice and compassion that Prosecutor General Yoon possesses," Yoon responded, "Isn't that selective suspicion?" and added, "You didn't act like that toward me in the past, did you?"

Additionally, when People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Sang-beom asked about his stance on prosecutorial personnel appointments, Yoon strongly expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "The personnel plan was already fully prepared," and "There is no way to make such appointments."

Ruling party lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with Prosecutor General Yoon's attitude in answering. Democratic Party lawmaker So Byung-chul pointed out during a procedural speech, "When you ask one question, he answers ten," and said, "I don't even know who is auditing whom."

Later, when ruling party lawmakers voiced complaints such as "Is it reasonable for a lawmaker to ask a question for 3 minutes and get a 5 or 7-minute answer?" and "Please issue a stern warning," Yoon Hojung, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee from the Democratic Party, cautioned Prosecutor General Yoon, saying, "I asked you to get the chairman's permission if you need to add more answers, but you have been answering continuously for almost 10 minutes." Lawmaker Park also shouted at Prosecutor General Yoon, "Sit up straight!"

On the morning of the 22nd, at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee held in Yeouido, Seoul, Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is giving a work report during the Supreme Prosecutors' Office national audit. / Photo by Yonhap News

However, opposition party lawmakers argued that such criticisms were unfair and defended Prosecutor General Yoon. They also referred to Minister Choo's attitude during a previous full Judiciary Committee meeting.

People Power Party lawmaker Jang Je-won said, "Although Prosecutor General Yoon's answers are longer than Minister Choo's, he answers with tens of times more politeness," and added, "You should not scold a witness who is trying to explain in detail."

He continued, "Minister Choo told opposition lawmakers, 'You're writing fiction,' when they questioned her," and pointed out, "But Prosecutor General Yoon sits up straight when lawmaker Park Beom-gye tells him to 'sit up straight.'"

Lawmaker Jang further said, "Chairman Yoon Hojung should not scold Prosecutor General Yoon, who is trying to explain in detail, while ignoring an arrogant and presumptuous witness."

People Power Party lawmakers raised their voices, saying, "If Prosecutor General Yoon gives lengthy answers, isn't that a good thing?" and "Why is the Democratic Party trying to block Prosecutor General Yoon's answers?"

Previously, on July 27, Minister Choo sparked controversy over her attitude during a full Judiciary Committee meeting when she said "You're writing fiction" to an opposition lawmaker who questioned her about allegations of special leave privileges during her son's military service. When the controversy grew, Minister Choo explained, "It was a monologue, but the speaker was on, so the words were heard."