Cho Kuk "Prosecutors show selective opposition only to non-prosecutor ministers... Why were they silent during MB and Kim Hak-ui's times?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk criticized the prosecution, questioning why only non-prosecutor ministers like Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae are accused of 'prosecutorial chaos (檢亂)' and asked, "What is the reason for selective resistance?"

On the 1st, former Minister Cho posted on his Facebook, "As an ordinary citizen, I ask the prosecution, which holds investigation, prosecution, and inspection rights, a few questions," and pointed out, "They remained silent during the dismissal of charges against former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Kim Hak-eui. What is the reason for selective investigation, selective prosecution, selective obedience, and selective resistance?"

He continued, "Why was the prosecution completely silent? Now that public criticism of the above cases has accumulated, the truth has been revealed, and finally a guilty verdict has been reached, why is there no self-reflection or criticism of the investigation leaders and command lines at that time?"

He also mentioned the 2007 prosecution investigation of former President Lee Myung-bak, the 2013 and 2015 investigations of former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hak-eui, and the sexual harassment case involving former Prosecutor Jin Dong-gyun, saying, "Besides these three cases, there are many similar cases. With the launch of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, all must be revealed."

Former Minister Cho said, "In the past, when former Ministers of Justice or Senior Presidential Secretaries for Civil Affairs from the prosecution unofficially issued numerous investigation directives, there was no resistance; instead, it was respectfully accepted as 'guidance from senior predecessors,'" and questioned, "Why is it that only when non-prosecutor Ministers of Justice appointed by the Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in administrations issue official directives, the term 'prosecutorial chaos (檢亂)' is invoked?"

He concluded his post by saying, "I also want to address the media that only report in favor of the prosecution."

[Image source = Captured from Facebook of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk]

Earlier, on the 28th of last month, Prosecutor Lee Hwan-woo (43, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 39) of the Criminal Division 1 at Jeju District Prosecutors' Office posted on the prosecution's internal network that "prosecutorial reform has failed," criticizing the current government and Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae.

In response, former Minister Cho asked, "Who is Prosecutor Lee Hwan-woo of Jeju District Prosecutors' Office who publicly criticized Minister Choo Mi-ae?" and referred to the prosecutor's past actions. Minister Choo also responded, saying, "Good. If you come out like this, reform is the only answer."

This sparked criticism within the prosecution, with voices saying, "The former and current ministers openly 'targeted' and 'cooperatively attacked' a rank-and-file prosecutor who posted critical messages." Prosecutor Choi Jae-man (47, class 36) of the Chuncheon District Prosecutors' Office, known as the son-in-law of former Minister of Justice Cheon Jeong-bae, expressed support for Prosecutor Lee by saying, "I will also come out," criticizing Minister Choo.

As more than 200 voices of support followed Prosecutor Choi, leading to a collective backlash described as 'prosecutorial chaos (檢亂),' Minister Choo took a firm stance again on the 31st, stating, "Uncomfortable truths must continue. Until we face them without turning away."