[2020 National Audit] Choo Mi-ae: "The word 'subordinate' feels unfamiliar"

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae said, "The word 'subordinate' feels unfamiliar." This was in response to Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's statement on the 22nd that "The Prosecutor General is not a subordinate of the Minister of Justice." In particular, Minister Choo revealed that an investigation is underway regarding the allegations about Yoon's meeting with the owner of the Chosun Ilbo.

On the 26th, during the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Justice at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Minister Choo responded to a question from Kim Jin-ae of the Open Democratic Party by saying, "I also find the word 'subordinate' unfamiliar." Earlier, at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office audit, Prosecutor General Yoon had mentioned the illegitimacy of exercising investigative command rights by stating, "Legally, the Prosecutor General is not a subordinate of the Minister."

Regarding the Lime investigation information being reported directly to Prosecutor General Yoon without passing through the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Anti-Corruption Department, she explained, "There are many suspicious points, so it was naturally lawful for the Minister of Justice to exercise investigative command rights," adding, "It is a customary practice to report on important politicians through the Anti-Corruption Department."

Concerning Yoon's statement that President Moon Jae-in conveyed a message to "respect the term," she criticized, "(The President) is not the type to deliver messages through unofficial channels, bypassing formal reporting lines," and said, "It was highly inappropriate for a senior public official to make unconfirmed remarks in this setting."

Meanwhile, regarding Prosecutor General Yoon's meeting with the owners of media outlets such as the Chosun Ilbo, she responded, "There is a possibility of violating the Prosecutors' Code of Ethics," and added, "An investigation is underway, and I will report once the results are out."