Yoon's 'Support Wreath' Sparks Debate: Kim Nam-guk Says "Citizens Are Uncomfortable" vs Kim Geun-sik Demands "Give a Reasonable Excuse"

300 Wreaths Supporting Yoon Seok-yeol in Front of the Prosecutor General's Office
Kim Nam-guk: "A Public Safety Issue... Must Be Removed Immediately"
Kim Geun-sik: "Just Throwing a Tantrum Because They Don't Like Seeing Them"

On the morning of the 25th, wreaths supporting Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol were placed at the entrance of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Professor Kim Geunsik of Gyeongnam National University, chairman of the People Power Party's Songpa-byeong district in Seoul, criticized on the 28th, saying, "Even if you make an excuse, make a reasonable excuse," after Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Namguk requested the removal of flower wreaths supporting Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, citing threats to citizen safety.

In a post on his Facebook that day, Professor Kim said, "Lawmaker Kim's excuse that he almost slipped on leaves from the wreath is petty no matter how you think about it. It's just a tantrum to remove the wreaths encouraging Prosecutor General Yoon because he doesn't like seeing them."

He added, "It is true that it is difficult to stop the continuous arrival of wreaths sent by citizens," and said, "Now, it would be better for citizens to refrain from sending them and for the Supreme Prosecutors' Office not to accept the wreaths but to send them back."

He continued, "Wreaths sent for celebrations or openings are usually cleared after the event, but in this case, it is not a congratulatory event but encouragement for Prosecutor General Yoon, so it has continued like this," and said, "Let's conclude by citizens supporting with their hearts and Prosecutor General Yoon accepting only the sentiment."

Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning during the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Justice, Supreme Court, Board of Audit and Inspection, Constitutional Court, and Ministry of Government Legislation at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the morning of the 26th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Earlier that day, Lawmaker Kim demanded, "Considering citizens' inconvenience and safety, the wreaths in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office are very inappropriate," and said, "I hope the wreaths will be removed."

He introduced the report through his Facebook, saying, "I received a report from a citizen this morning. This morning, while passing in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong, the citizen almost slipped after stepping on leaves fallen from the wreath."

He continued, "(This citizen) complained to the security office of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, but three employees came out and explained that since they had obtained permission from the district office, there was no problem for that citizen," and criticized, "First, citizen safety is an issue. It is not just an inconvenience to walking but a risk of accidents from slipping on fallen leaves. Considering citizens' inconvenience and safety, the wreaths in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office are very inappropriate."

Additionally, Lawmaker Kim said, "The wreaths in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office are not only a problem for citizen safety and inconvenience," and said, "The Prosecutor General has an obligation to maintain strict political neutrality more than anyone else," and pointed out, "The Prosecutor General, as if defying the lawful orders of the Minister of Justice, flaunting 'political prestige' with wreaths, appears to the public as if conducting his own politics."

He added, "A politicizing Prosecutor General is a bigger problem," and said, "Some political prosecutors and a politicizing Prosecutor General make the worst combination. Due to the Prosecutor General's political actions, criticisms such as 'Isn't the investigation political to become president?' and 'Using investigations for politics' follow, and thus the public cannot help but doubt the fairness of the investigation."

Finally, Lawmaker Kim added, "I hope he thinks about what is the duty as a public official and prioritizes the Republic of Korea and the prosecution organization over the Prosecutor General's 'political interests.'"

Meanwhile, the flower wreath procession, started by a citizen on the 19th to support Prosecutor General Yoon, currently lines up with more than 300 wreaths from the main gate of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to the Supreme Court and Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. The wreaths reportedly increased after Prosecutor General Yoon's national audit on the 22nd.