Hong Joon-pyo "Both Chu Mi-ae and Yoon Seok-yeol should step down... Yoon, resign and come to the political arena with confidence"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo called for both Justice Minister Chu Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl to step down, urging Yoon in particular to "resign and come boldly into the political arena."

On the 23rd, Hong said on Facebook, "(Prosecutor General Yoon) should have boldly refused the repeated exercise of investigative authority by Minister Chu if he thought it was unjust," expressing this view.

Hong also referenced the 2005 case involving Professor Kang Jong-gu and the National Security Act, where then-Prosecutor General Kim Jong-bin defied the Justice Minister's orders, submitted his resignation, and left the prosecution. He argued that Prosecutor General Yoon should have rejected Minister Chu's investigative authority and resigned.

He stated, "It is self-contradictory to continue as Prosecutor General simply because the President still trusts you, even after accepting the nonsensical and unreasonable exercise of investigative authority by the minister twice. It is irritating for the public to watch allies fight turf wars repeatedly without any justification," adding, "It's one thing for allies to have disputes once or twice, but constant infighting without any grounds only annoys the people."

He continued, "Both should step down," and pointed out, "Minister Chu should retire from politics now, and Prosecutor General Yoon should resign and boldly enter the political arena. That is the proper attitude of a public official."

Regarding the 'subordinate debate' that arose in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Hong said, "Unlike the police, the prosecution's budget and personnel authority are held by the Justice Minister, and although it is customary to consult with the Prosecutor General on personnel matters, this is the minister's full authority," adding, "The relationship between the minister and the prosecutor general is not a subordinate concept like in the military but has a unique command and obedience structure."