Yoon's Counterattack and National Assembly Attendance... Complex Calculations for Choo

Yoon Prosecutor General's Resolute Remarks Shake Position... Will He Reveal Counterattack Card at Comprehensive Audit on 26th?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The counterattack from Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who seemed cornered, the sudden resignation of the district prosecutor he trusted and appointed, and the upcoming National Assembly appearance?various variables pouring down on Justice Minister Chu Mi-ae, who has been under 'National Assembly hearing'-triggered assault from Yoon, are complicating her calculations.

On the 23rd, Minister Chu began discussions with her aides to select a successor for the Seoul Southern District Prosecutor's Office chief. Park Soon-cheol, the current Southern District Prosecutor, tendered his resignation the day before. The Southern District Prosecutor's Office is handling the 'Lime scandal,' which is spreading into lobbying allegations involving political and business circles, and Park was appointed by Minister Chu as the right person to handle such cases. Therefore, the resignation of Park, who was called part of the 'Chu line,' is inevitably a shock to Minister Chu. Amid the successive release of prison letters from Kim Bong-hyun, the former chairman of Star Mobility and a key figure in the Lime scandal who has been targeting both ruling and opposition parties alternately, the choice of a suitable person to 'fairly' handle this case from Minister Chu's perspective could be a crucial variable determining the direction of the situation.

Above all, she must manage the damage from the direct blow dealt by Prosecutor General Yoon the day before. Yoon, at the start of the National Assembly hearing, broadcasted Park's resignation statement live, effectively putting Minister Chu in an awkward position. In addition to her previous 'slanderous accusation' remarks, Minister Chu used harsh expressions such as calling the Supreme Prosecutors' Office "a body deceiving the people," which Yoon countered.

Yoon also made a determined statement, saying, "The Prosecutor General is not a subordinate of the Minister of Justice." Minister Chu responded on Facebook, stating, "The Prosecutor General is a public official under the supervision and command of the Minister of Justice," but Yoon explained again, "It means there is no hierarchical relationship."

The disciplinary inspection card that Minister Chu then played also had limited effect. She ordered a joint inspection by the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's Inspection Department to investigate whether prosecutors concealed misconduct or conducted lenient investigations on opposition politicians related to the Lime case. However, Yoon sharply responded, "The Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department is under the Prosecutor General's jurisdiction," adding, "Announcements require prior consultation, but this was unilateral and I have heard nothing about it."

However, legal circles analyze that if the inspection proceeds in earnest, the results could deal a significant blow to Prosecutor General Yoon. Considering the investigation results related to Yoon himself and his family, following his earlier exercise of investigative authority, this could even lead to questions about Yoon's position.

Moreover, Minister Chu still has an opportunity for counterattack. She will attend the comprehensive audit of the Judiciary Committee on the 26th. Although the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court will also be audited alongside the Ministry of Justice, it is widely analyzed that this will effectively be Minister Chu's time. In line with this, Minister Chu is expected to prepare counterattack cards against Prosecutor General Yoon over the weekend in addition to preparing for the National Assembly hearing. A legal insider stated, "Since both Minister Chu and Prosecutor General Yoon are actively expressing their positions through the National Assembly hearing, it is expected that on the final day of the hearing, Minister Chu will continue various attacks with the support of ruling party lawmakers."