"Don't Throw a Tantrum," "Why Is the Prosecutor General Doing Politics?" Ruling Party Increases Pressure on Yoon's Position

Yoon Faces Pushback After 'Determined Remarks' at National Audit
Kim Du-kwan: "Your Political Lifespan Ends Here"
Kim Nam-guk: "Sitting as Prosecutor General, Engaging in Political Moves"
Kim Jong-min: "If You Disagree with Superior's Orders, Quitting Is Common Sense"

Kim Du-gwan, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Voices within the ruling party calling for Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's resignation are growing louder. This appears to be a backlash within the ruling party against Yoon, who made 'deliberate remarks' during the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's National Assembly inspection.

Song Ki-heon, a member of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, said in an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 27th regarding Yoon's position, "If there are illegal or regulatory violations that have resulted in serious consequences, shouldn't the Prosecutor General take responsibility?" He added, "As a minister, I believe it is possible to recommend dismissal."

Meanwhile, on the same day, Kim Doo-kwan, also from the same party, urged Yoon to voluntarily resign in a Facebook post, saying, "Your political lifespan ends here," and "You should stop being obstinate for the benefit of the prosecution group and resign."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-guk also criticized in a radio interview, "When the Prosecutor General has conflicts or differing opinions with the Minister of Justice, he has shown the attitude of staking his position and resigning while firmly expressing his views," adding, "If you want to do politics, you should do politics. Why are you engaging in political moves while sitting as Prosecutor General? It's cowardly."

During the comprehensive inspection of the Ministry of Justice by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 26th, ruling party lawmakers also raised the issue of Yoon's position. On that day, Kim Jong-min, a Democratic Party member, criticized, "What Yoon did during the last inspection was to lead the prosecution into politics," and said, "He may think in his heart that the president's and minister's investigative directives are illegal, but as the head responsible for the prosecution, he should not say such things at the inspection."

He continued, "Many Prosecutor Generals, even if they had disagreements in their hearts, did not express them and simply submitted their resignations, following their superiors' orders for the sake of national discipline," adding, "Whether it is right or wrong is a matter for later debate."

He emphasized, "Common sense dictates that if I disagree with you, I should quit," and "If you pretend to comply but say outside that this is wrong, the organization and national discipline will be shaken."

Yoon Seok-yeol, Prosecutor General / Photo by Yonhap News

The Democratic Party's increasing pressure by raising the issue of Yoon's position seems to be a countermeasure against Yoon's 'deliberate remarks' during the Supreme Prosecutors' Office inspection.

During the inspection that continued until the early hours of the 23rd, Yoon responded to a question about his post-retirement plans by saying, "I will slowly think about how to serve our society and the people." When asked further if politics was included in his service methods, he replied, "It is difficult to say at this time."

This led to speculation in some political circles that Yoon might have intentions to enter politics. Especially within the ruling party, criticism arose suggesting that "politics was ultimately the goal" for Yoon.

Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon criticized Yoon's remarks at the party's Supreme Council meeting that day, saying, "It ironically reveals how difficult prosecutorial reform is and how public officials should conduct themselves."

On the same day, Shin Dong-geun, a Supreme Council member from the same party, said in a radio interview, "He (Yoon) is thinking about politics. Isn't this statement made with the goal of becoming a politician or at a politician's level?" He added, "We saw the case of former leader Hwang Kyo-ahn, but the public does not favor those from power institutions."