"Park Beom-gye Scolds 'Yoon Seok-yeol, Sit Up Straight'... 7 Years Ago Said, 'Hyung, Never Resign Under Any Circumstances'"

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol attending the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee inspection of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 22nd, responding to questions. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] On the 22nd, during the National Assembly inspection, Park Beom-gye, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, repeatedly scolded Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, telling him to "straighten up" and criticizing his attitude in responding. Amid this, their past connection has come back into the spotlight. Seven years ago, Park expressed a heartfelt sentiment toward Yoon, calling him a "righteous prosecutor."

At the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee's inspection of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office that day, Park shouted, "I think Yoon Seok-yeol's sense of justice is selective," adding, "I have come to doubt Yoon Seok-yeol's sense of justice and compassion."

Regarding the prosecution's investigation into Optimus, he questioned, "How can you make such a sloppy and careless decision of no charges?" Last May, the prosecution received an investigation request from the Korea Radio Promotion Association, which had invested in the Optimus fund, but dismissed the case without charges.

In response to Park's inquiry, Prosecutor General Yoon said, "I think it is possible to make a no-charge decision," and "I have never been briefed on it." When Park scolded him, Yoon raised his voice and said, "Isn't this selective suspicion? You didn't act like this toward me in the past, did you?"

As Park continued questioning the prosecution's investigation, Yoon sighed shortly, saying "Huh, really," and leaned back in his chair. Then Park urged, "Straighten up. You are now in the position of the inspected institution."

Photo by Park Beom-gye, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, Facebook

Following the exchange between Park and Yoon at the inspection, their relationship has again drawn attention. It is known that Park and Yoon both passed the 33rd Judicial Examination and completed the 23rd Judicial Research and Training Institute together. In 2013, Park even posted a message emphasizing their connection, referring to Yoon as "hyung" (older brother).

On November 10, 2013, Park Beom-gye posted on his Facebook, "Yoon Seok-yeol hyung! It is so sad that the reality of South Korea and the prosecution forces me to call you a righteous prosecutor," adding, "Even though we are batchmates from the Judicial Research and Training Institute, I have never had a long conversation with you. The reality that I can only have a proper conversation with you as a plea to stay in the prosecution and not yield to injustice is frustrating."

He continued, "Even when we had a batchmate gathering last year (2012, when I became a member of the National Assembly), you only had a drink for 10 minutes and left," explaining, "Only then did I realize that I was a person who could harm political neutrality."

At that time, Park also urged Yoon to hold his position despite pressure to resign from the Park Geun-hye administration. He said, "Under no circumstances should you submit your resignation," and added, "This is a plea from Beom-gye, who happened to pass by that day."