From the Start, Aggressive Remarks All Day Long... "Neither Subordinate nor Hierarchical Relationship"
[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who appeared in public for the first time in a year, delivered a series of determined remarks throughout the day. On the morning of the 22nd, at 10 a.m. with the start of the National Assembly inspection, Yoon announced the resignation of Park Soon-cheol, head of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, who was leading the Lime scandal investigation, and revealed Park's resignation statement saying "politics has covered up the prosecution," effectively launching a preemptive strike. Yoon, who stated that he "does not pledge loyalty to any person," appeared for the first time in a year since the National Assembly inspection last October, and it was his first time delivering a message at an official event in 80 days since the new prosecutors' induction ceremony on August 3.
◆Two Direct Blows to Minister Choo= On this day, Yoon opened his remarks by rebutting Minister Choo's criticism of the inadequate investigation. Yoon said, "After the Lime default scandal broke out and manpower was insufficient, I ordered a thorough investigation in February and subsequently strengthened the investigative personnel," countering the criticism. He added, "So far, 50 people have been indicted and 30 have been detained and indicted. The investigation is comprehensive, and I understand that the Southern District Prosecutors' Office investigation team, led by Chief Park Soon-cheol, worked closely together."
The conflict between the ruling and opposition parties began when Yoon was asked about his 'slander' remark directed at Minister Choo. He replied, "It is the most polite word I can use." Regarding Minister Choo's harsh expressions, including calling the prosecution "a deceiver of the people," Yoon said, "They are not based on any facts."
Yoon stated, "I instructed the prosecutors to report directly to the chief prosecutors to avoid future criticism and to conduct thorough investigations during the autumn National Assembly inspection to prevent any issues." He also said, "Upon receiving reports of prosecutors being entertained, I called the Southern District Prosecutors' Office chief within 10 minutes to identify those who were entertained." He continued, "I cannot understand on what grounds it was announced that the Prosecutor General was also involved in the inadequate investigation."
The determined remarks came in response to an opposition lawmaker's question about his thoughts on Minister Choo's recent investigation directive. Yoon said, "Legally speaking, the Prosecutor General is not a subordinate of the Minister of Justice." He added, "If the Prosecutor General were a subordinate of the Minister, there would be no need to create such a position. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office is an advisory organization to assist the Prosecutor General. There would be no need to operate such a vast facility and organization funded by taxpayers' money."
He continued, "The Minister is basically a politician, a political appointee. If the Prosecutor General, who oversees the entire prosecution nationwide, were a subordinate of the Minister, then investigations and prosecutions would all be subject to political directives, which is far from the prosecution's political neutrality and judicial independence," he emphasized.
During the afternoon inspection, Yoon did not waver. Regarding Minister Choo's Facebook post stating, "The Prosecutor General is a public official under the supervision of the Minister of Justice," Yoon responded to an opposition lawmaker's question about the relationship between the Minister and the Prosecutor General by saying, "The Prosecutor General does not attend the Minister of Justice's inauguration or retirement ceremonies but pays separate visits," indicating "there is no hierarchical relationship." He added, "If there were a hierarchical relationship, the law would require the superior to listen to the subordinate's opinions when recommending personnel appointments."
He also drew a line by saying, "I do not take the Minister lightly. I respect the Minister." Yoon added, "All prosecutors respect the Minister of Justice and consider them the highest supervisor, but due to the independence of investigations and prosecutions, it is inevitably set up this way."
◆Minister Choo Plays the Inspection Card During the National Assembly Inspection, Yoon Strikes Back Again= The conflict between Minister Choo and Prosecutor General Yoon did not end there. Minister Choo ordered an inspection amid the ongoing National Assembly inspection regarding allegations of concealment of Lime investigation reports and discriminatory investigations related to opposition politicians.
The Ministry of Justice stated, "Regarding reports of misconduct by prosecutors and prosecution investigators, the Prosecutor General and the leadership of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office claim they were not informed of these facts until recent media reports and were completely unaware," adding, "However, given that the whistleblower's allegations of misconduct align with specific circumstances, we will inspect whether serious misconduct occurred and whether it was concealed or covered up by the investigating prosecutors or reporting channels."
Furthermore, "Regarding the investigation of opposition politicians who are former prosecutors, we will inspect the legality and appropriateness of the previous investigation team's reporting timeline and methods, which differed from those for ruling party politicians, and whether the investigation of opposition politicians was conducted in a discriminatory manner over approximately four months from early May to the August personnel reshuffle, unlike the investigation of ruling party politicians," the Ministry added.
Yoon did not back down on this issue either. When People Power Party lawmaker Jeon Ju-hye asked, "Minister Choo again ordered an inspection regarding allegations of concealment of prosecutor entertainment and biased investigations of opposition politicians. What do you think?" Yoon said, "Since investigations into the Lime case are ongoing at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, the inspection order may appear to interfere with investigations or prosecutions."
After learning about the Ministry of Justice's announcement, Yoon explained, "According to the Ministry of Justice Organization Decree, a presidential decree, inspections of frontline prosecution offices cannot be conducted for the purpose of interfering with investigations or prosecutions," adding, "Inspections are usually conducted after investigations are completed and problems arise." When asked if the Prosecutor General is also subject to inspection, he replied, "I don't know."
◆Yoon Does Not Yield= Prosecutor General Yoon did not yield even during heated exchanges with ruling party lawmakers. When allegations arose that prosecutors who received entertainment related to the Lime scandal were part of the 'Yoon Seok-yeol faction,' Yoon strongly denied them.
Especially when Democratic Party lawmaker Park Beom-gye accused him of protecting Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon, Yoon retorted, "I am a powerless figurehead Prosecutor General who cannot protect anyone." Yoon said, "Nothing has come out yet regarding the Channel A case. I have never tried to protect Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon, and can I protect him? Many media outlets and influential figures in the ruling party are interested. If Prosecutor Han did something wrong, how could I protect him?"
In response to Park's remark, "Saying nothing has come out yet while the trial is not over is protection," Yoon said, "I have been excluded from command authority," and countered, "Then who are you protecting, Mr. Park?" He raised his voice, saying, "I have no ability to protect Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon and no personnel authority. People outside call me a figurehead Prosecutor General. Can that be protection?"
Regarding a video released by Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min, claiming "cases of abuse of prosecutorial power during Yoon's tenure," Yoon rebutted, "That is just your claim, and I cannot agree at all." When Kim criticized, "Is it appropriate for the head of the prosecution not to agree with public suspicions?" Yoon responded, "You should ask questions that can be answered," avoiding a direct answer.
Kim repeatedly demanded Yoon apologize, but Yoon stood firm, saying, "I cannot apologize. If I were going to apologize, I would not have said those things."
During the inspection, the progress of the investigation into the Lime Asset Management fund fraud case was also disclosed. Yoon explained, "Extensive communication and account tracking have been completed perfectly now," adding, "The investigation is in its final stages."
Meanwhile, Yoon also revealed that "President Moon Jae-in conveyed a message to 'fulfill your duties after the general election.'" Despite ongoing calls from the ruling party for his resignation, Yoon expressed his determination not to step down, stating, "I believe fulfilling my duties during my term is a responsibility not only to the appointing authority but also to the people, and I will carry out my duties without wavering."
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