Continued Targeting of Reporters... Even Prosecutors Publicly Criticize
People Power Party: "Reform Target Is Minister Chu, Not the Prosecution"
Experts: "Democratic Party's Hardcore Supporters Aim to Consolidate Their Own Power"
Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae listens to the remarks of National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok at the appointment ceremony for the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office chief candidate recommendation committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 30th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporters Han Seung-gon and Kang Joo-hee] Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's public criticism of prosecutors who criticized her has sparked strong backlash within the prosecution. This is not the first time Minister Choo has engaged in so-called 'targeting.' Previously, she caused controversy by publicly revealing the faces and affiliations of reporters waiting outside her home to cover her commute, leading to accusations of 'targeting journalists.'
There are concerns that the 'prosecutorial reform,' intended to secure the independence and political neutrality of the prosecution, has been distorted into 'prosecutorial taming' due to the minister's targeting attacks. Experts analyze that Minister Choo's actions have the effect of rallying the so-called pro-Moon (친문) faction and may have been intentional.
On the 28th of last month, a post titled "Prosecutorial Reform Has Failed" criticizing Minister Choo appeared on the prosecution's internal network 'Epross.' The post was written by Prosecutor Lee Hwan-woo of Jeju District Prosecutors' Office, who pointed out that "personnel authority, command authority, and inspection authority are being abused," and "as a result, the core philosophy and principle of prosecutorial reform?securing political neutrality and preventing abuse of prosecutorial power?have been severely damaged."
Minister Choo responded immediately to this criticism. On the morning of the 29th, she shared an article related to Prosecutor Lee on her Facebook, publicly criticizing him by saying, "Good. If you come out like this, reform is the only answer." Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk also joined the attack on the same day, posting on Facebook, "Who is Prosecutor Lee Hwan-woo of Jeju District Prosecutors' Office who openly criticized Minister Choo Mi-ae?"
As former and current Ministers of Justice engaged in targeting prosecutors on Facebook, voices of opposition grew among frontline prosecutors.
Prosecutor Choi Jae-man of Chuncheon District Prosecutors' Office, known as the son-in-law of former Minister of Justice Cheon Jeong-bae, posted a supportive message for Prosecutor Lee on Epross that day, saying, "I will also come out." Prosecutor Choi further criticized Minister Choo, asking, "What kind of prosecutorial reform does the minister envision?" and stating, "The current situation where politics intentionally overwhelms the prosecution clearly sets a bad precedent in our judicial history."
The posts by Prosecutors Lee Hwan-woo and Choi Jae-man on Epross on the 2nd received over 360 comments and reportedly exceeded 50,000 views in total.
Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is entering the Ministry of Justice at the Government Complex Gwacheon in Gyeonggi Province on the afternoon of the 27th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News
Despite such criticism, Minister Choo posted repeatedly on the 31st of last month, stating, "Uncomfortable truths must continue. Until we face them without turning away," signaling her intention not to back down amid prosecutors' backlash.
As Minister Choo's direct attacks continued, some criticized her for exerting excessive pressure on prosecutors. There are also concerns that the prosecutorial reform, aimed at securing independence and political neutrality, has been distorted into 'prosecutorial taming' due to the minister's targeting attacks.
The opposition party raised their voices, saying the subject of reform is not the prosecution but Minister Choo herself. On the 1st, Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the People Power Party, issued a statement emphasizing, "The number of prosecutors 'coming out' in opposition to Minister Choo has now exceeded 230. This is a protest by prosecutors against the minister's arrogance."
Spokesperson Kim added, "Even former Minister Cho Kuk and other former and current Ministers of Justice are collaborating to threaten and crush the prosecution. The minister who trusts the words of swindlers more than prosecutorial investigations to cover up government corruption, and who abuses power under the guise of prosecutorial reform to make the prosecution a servant of the regime, is truly the subject of reform felt by the people," she pointed out.
Civilians also expressed critical reactions to Minister Choo's public targeting.
Office worker Mr. Choi (27) said, "Minister Choo's targeting attacks seem to be an attempt to control the judiciary and the media. As a minister who holds power, she tries to suppress the media and prosecution if they do not please her. There is no sign of serious reflection on the criticism and condemnation directed at her," he criticized.
Another office worker in his 30s, Mr. Lee, said, "I think the minister can criticize prosecutors, but her method was completely wrong. If a minister of a country openly criticizes prosecutors like that, who would take that criticism seriously? It's a matter to consider logically," he criticized.
Minister Choo's public criticism has also targeted the media. Earlier, on the 15th of last month, she posted a photo of a reporter's face on Facebook who came to cover her commute, directly confronting the media. On that day, Minister Choo criticized, "I sent official letters to each media outlet requesting cooperation to restrict filming in front of the apartment as it is a private area, but the reporter said they didn't know about that and insisted on continuing to film."
Initially, Minister Choo posted the reporter's face without blurring on Facebook, but after criticism regarding portrait rights, she later reposted the photo with the face mosaic applied.
The next day, on the 16th, she shared an editorial from a media outlet and responded, "The issues raised have been revealed to be distorted or baseless," adding, "I return this to you. Can OO Daily continue to remain as a media outlet that publishes emotional articles on every issue?"
Experts analyze that Minister Choo's targeting is intended to rally the pro-Moon support base for future elections or primaries after her term ends.
Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said, "Minister Choo may be trying to consolidate the current fervent Democratic Party supporters or the pro-Moon faction into her own power base for future elections or primaries," but added, "Even so, her actions cannot be considered appropriate."
He continued, "The Minister of Justice is responsible for legal administrative duties and should refrain from interfering in investigations as much as possible. Since this order has been shaken under Minister Choo's administration, prosecutors' backlash is inevitable and justified," he emphasized.
He further pointed out, "Although the Minister of Justice is not a direct superior to prosecutors, she can exercise personnel authority over the Prosecutor General, who is the direct superior of prosecutors, so she can be seen as a superior. It is naturally inappropriate for a minister in such a position to abuse personnel authority over the prosecution and even directly attack prosecutors," he stated.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
