Yang Hyang-ja: "Choo Mi-ae Will Show a Different Level of Dignity from Yoon Seok-yeol at the National Assembly Audit"

Comprehensive Audit of the Ministry of Justice Held Today

Yang Hyang-ja, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] On the 26th, during the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Justice at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae delivered a resolute speech targeting Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, and Yang Hyang-ja, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "I believe that today the Minister of Justice will demonstrate a level of dignity far beyond that of Prosecutor General Yoon."

Supreme Council Member Yang said in a post on her Facebook on the same day, "There has never been a Prosecutor General who speaks both appropriate and inappropriate words to the Minister of Justice, who is their superior by organizational hierarchy," expressing her opinion.

Yang pointed out, "The reason why Prosecutor General Yoon's prosecutorial power is not respected is that both his ability and attitude are substandard," adding, "His words and actions have abandoned dignity, and his achievements are insufficient compared to the authority granted."

She then harshly criticized Yoon's behavior during the National Assembly audit of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. She said, "At the National Assembly audit, the true face of Yoon's attitude and ability was revealed. His rude remarks that started with 'I'll kill you' ended with 'Slander is the most polite word I can use.' The misplaced blind faith of Prosecutor General Yoon, who regards unelected prosecutorial power as superior to the people's elected National Assembly power, is problematic, but the rude remarks and arrogance filled with such blind faith were highly inappropriate for a senior public official serving the people," she pointed out.

She added, "Coincidentally, the behavior Prosecutor General Yoon showed at the audit was no different from that of the opposition party," criticizing, "It was exactly the image of the opposition party that lost public support due to the mainstreaming of rude remarks and normalization of arrogance."

She continued, "His ability is also questionable," asserting, "Yoon has been guaranteed more powerful authority than any previous Prosecutor General, but his achievements are far from sufficient." She pointed out, "He has relentlessly investigated figures such as Yoo Si-min of SillaJen, Kang Ki-jung of Lime, and Cho Kuk of Co-Link, but no facts confirmed as crimes have been found."

Finally, Supreme Council Member Yang expressed regret toward the People Power Party, saying, "I cannot help but feel sorrow over the reality of the main opposition party having to nurture a Prosecutor General who is both rude and whose ability is questionable as a future presidential candidate," and sharply asked, "Is Prosecutor General Yoon the persona of the opposition party?"

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is responding during the Supreme Prosecutors' Office audit held on the morning of the 22nd at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, on the 22nd, Prosecutor General Yoon, who appeared at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's audit, had delivered a resolute speech targeting Minister Choo.

At the Supreme Prosecutors' Office audit held at the National Assembly that day, Yoon expressed strong dissatisfaction regarding Minister Choo's exercise of investigative command authority. Yoon stated, "Legally, the Prosecutor General is not a subordinate of the Minister," and added, "If the Prosecutor General were a subordinate of the Minister, there would be no need to operate the vast Supreme Prosecutors' Office organization funded by taxpayers."

He further criticized Minister Choo's exercise of investigative command authority head-on, saying, "It is unreasonable to listen to people who have committed serious crimes and are expected to receive heavy sentences and then strip the Prosecutor General of command authority."

In response, Minister Choo posted a sentence on her Facebook, "The Prosecutor General is a public official who is subject to the command and supervision of the Minister of Justice by law," rebutting Yoon's remarks.

Meanwhile, on the 26th, Minister Choo appeared at the National Assembly for the audit of the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, the Board of Audit and Inspection, and the Ministry of Government Legislation, and delivered remarks directly targeting Prosecutor General Yoon. She emphasized, "The Minister is the superior of the Prosecutor General," countering Yoon's claim that "The Prosecutor General is not a subordinate of the Minister."

On the same day, Kim Jin-ae, a member of the Open Democratic Party, asked about Prosecutor General Yoon, "He used a bizarre word ('subordinate') and disturbed society," and questioned, "At that time, Minister Choo wrote on Facebook that 'The Prosecutor General is a public official subject to the command and supervision of the Minister of Justice by law.' What does that mean?"

Minister Choo responded, "According to the Government Organization Act and the Prosecutors' Office Act, it means that the Prosecutor General belongs to the Ministry of Justice," and directly criticized Yoon's remark, saying, "I also find the word 'subordinate' unfamiliar."

She continued, "I have seen various remarks made at the audit through media reports, and there were statements that crossed the line for a Prosecutor General who must maintain political neutrality. I feel very sorry and embarrassed as the person with command and supervision authority. I apologize," she said.

Minister Choo specifically pointed out Prosecutor General Yoon's remarks at the audit, saying, "They are not suitable for democracy. I regret it," and added, "I will guide and supervise properly." She also claimed, "Many prosecutors feel considerable self-reproach over the Prosecutor General's remarks that damage the organization's neutrality or politicize it. I believe the positions of the prosecutors and the Prosecutor General should be separated."