"Encouraging and Enjoying Conflict Between Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, stated on the 26th that President Moon Jae-in must “immediately choose between Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl,” and urged, “The president and the current administration must clearly define their identity by clarifying what values they uphold and pursue regarding fairness, justice, privilege, and rule-breaking.”
On the same day, Ahn said on Facebook, “There is a mountain of power-related corruption that needs investigation, yet the president’s approach to governance?merely watching the conflict and confrontation between Minister Choo, who shackles the prosecution, and Prosecutor General Yoon?is gravely wrong.”
Ahn pointed out, “Many people must have felt relieved hearing Prosecutor General Yoon’s candid answers during last week’s National Assembly inspection of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office. There were also many criticisms about the ruling party lawmakers’ attitudes, which have changed 180 degrees compared to just one year and three months ago. However, the petty questions and political offensives from ruling party lawmakers, who act as self-proclaimed Red Guards, are not the core issue. The real problem has become clear: it is President Moon, not Minister Choo, Prosecutor General Yoon, or the puppet ruling party lawmakers.”
Ahn added, “Minister Choo and Prosecutor General Yoon have crossed the line where reconciliation is possible. The Blue House, which claims to understand Minister Choo’s irrational and political exercise of command authority, has not properly responded to the president’s request, as revealed by Prosecutor General Yoon, to ‘respect the term of office.’ Could it be that President Moon is actually encouraging and enjoying the confusion and conflict between the minister and the prosecutor general?”
Ahn emphasized, “A leader must not allow confusion to persist. Ultimately, this will lead to President Moon’s incompetence and limits in leadership. If on the surface he encourages and supports Minister Choo while secretly comforting Prosecutor General Yoon, there could be no more contradictory behavior. If the message to the public is to be strict even with those in power and to remain steadfast in fulfilling one’s term, then appropriate actions must follow. That is to immediately dismiss Minister Choo.”
Ahn stated, “Minister Choo’s exercise of command authority is a clear obstruction of investigation. Is there such a thing as a command authority that excludes the prosecutor general from an investigation? Many people worry, seeing Minister Choo’s behavior dancing to the words of a fraudster, that the instruction to the prosecution is not to root out corruption but to cover it up. So why does the president condone and abet this?”
Ahn said, “Looking at Minister Choo’s behavior and President Moon’s tolerance of it, it is obvious what the upcoming Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) will do. Those favored by the administration will be protected as if armored, even if they commit corruption, while those out of favor will be stripped bare, down to their relatives, and ruthlessly targeted, turning the office into a regime protection unit.”
Ahn urged, “President Moon, abandon hypocrisy and greed. Putting Jang Hee-bin and Queen Inhyeon under the same roof is hypocrisy and impossible. Decide whether to allow Minister Choo’s reckless sword dance that defends corruption allegations at the core of the regime and weakens the prosecution to continue, or to dismiss her and restore justice.”
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