Jin Hyewon’s 'Nightclub Opening' Remarks... Consecutive 'Criticism' from the Opposition Party

On the 21st, a wreath supporting Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol was placed in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Asia Economy

[Asia Economy Reporter Hana Na] Jin Hyewon, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, referred to the wreaths supporting Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office as a "nightclub opening," sparking a series of criticisms from opposition parties regarding her remarks.

On the 25th, Kim Geunsik, Professor at Gyeongnam National University and Chairman of the People Power Party's Songpa-byeong District Committee in Seoul, criticized Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jin's "nightclub opening" comment, saying, "She mocked the Prosecutor General, her direct superior, by likening him to a gang boss."

Professor Kim wrote on his Facebook that day, "The Prosecutor General is not subordinate to the Minister of Justice, but the Deputy Chief Prosecutor is clearly a subordinate of the Prosecutor General according to the organizational structure," and added, "Since she mocked the Prosecutor General's support wreaths as a 'gangster's nightclub opening,' public insult from a subordinate to a superior inevitably warrants disciplinary action," strongly criticizing her.

He also remarked, "It seems she thinks she will receive a nomination if she leads the 'Ddaekkaemun' (a derogatory term for those who unconditionally support Moon Jae-in) like lawmakers Kim Nam-guk and Kim Yong-min," and warned, "The nomination is still far away, so don't 'overdo' it."

People Power Party lawmaker Kim Woong also responded on Facebook that day, saying, "When I see wreaths, I think of weddings or openings, but I realized someone thinks of a nightclub."

Earlier, on the 24th, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jin posted a photo on her Facebook showing the wreaths supporting Prosecutor General Yoon placed in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, saying, "I thought the Shin ○seobangpa gang had opened a nightclub at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong." She later posted again, stating, "Leaving one's property on the road constitutes abandonment, and one could face up to one year in prison."