與 "Yoon Seok-yeol Must Draw a Line from Politics" vs 野 "Strategic Intent... No Need to View Negatively"

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol attending the Supreme Prosecutors' Office audit held on the 22nd at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee in Yeouido, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Han Seung-gon and Kim Yeon-ju] The ruling and opposition parties continue to clash over Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol’s remarks on the 22nd during the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee’s inspection of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, where he expressed his views on current issues including his conflict with Justice Minister Chu Mi-ae. The ruling party is seeing renewed calls for his resignation as the conflict with Prosecutor General Yoon reaches a peak. On the other hand, the opposition party has raised the level of criticism against the government and ruling party while defending Prosecutor General Yoon.

On the 26th, Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, appeared on KBS Radio’s "Kim Kyung-rae’s Strongest Current Affairs" and said, "The Optimus and Lime scandals are very important cases. If, regarding these, indictments had been made instead of no charges on May 22 last year, the victims of nearly 1 trillion won in fraud could have been prevented," adding, "Many lawmakers asked questions about this, but what did Prosecutor General Yoon say? He said, ‘I don’t know well because it was handled by delegated authority during my time at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office.’ How can such a thing be said?"

Kim criticized, "He should have studied before coming to the inspection. He should have understood the main details of the case, but he did not. He just came to the inspection formally. He just went out and made political remarks."

Regarding the controversy over Prosecutor General Yoon’s attitude during the inspection, Kim said, "When you come to the inspection, lawmakers ask questions on behalf of the people, and the head of the inspected agency testifies before the people, so it is better to show a humble attitude. However, Prosecutor General Yoon even hit the desk and said things like ‘Huh, really’ in a mixed informal tone," he pointed out.

He continued, "Prosecutor General Yoon has already made many politically interpreted and controversial remarks not only during the inspection but also in past investigations and statements. As Prosecutor General, he should have been very cautious in maintaining political neutrality and independence, but it is very regrettable that he made remarks that could cause political misunderstandings."

He added, "He should have clearly drawn a line regarding politics, but I think he brought this controversy upon himself again."

On the other hand, Lee Jun-seok, a former member of the United Future Party (predecessor of the People Power Party), who appeared together, said, "All ruling party lawmakers targeted Prosecutor General Yoon in their questioning," and evaluated, "I think Prosecutor General Yoon has efficiently defended himself against the allegations and attacks raised against him so far."

Regarding Prosecutor General Yoon’s remark during the inspection that he would serve the people after retirement, Lee said, "Because ruling party lawmakers kept harassing him so much, he probably hinted, ‘If you keep harassing me like this, I might go into politics later,’ to avoid being underestimated," but added, "(However) I think the opposition, the People Power Party as the main opposition, and the ruling party are less relevant here. Rather, it might be similar in direction and tone to figures like lawmaker Geum Tae-seop or Professor Jin Joong-kwon."

Lee said, "In politics, having a cause is always important. It could be that my life goal is to make money well because I have struggled, or it could be that I want to go into politics to correct such unfairness I have experienced. I think Prosecutor General Yoon is in the process of accumulating a cause, and there is no reason to view that negatively."