[Exclusive] Seok Dong-hyun Recommended by People Power Party, Said Last Year "I Would Become a Pro-Japanese Collaborator If It Helps National Security"

'Moon Jae-in Resignation' Busan Rally... "We Were Passive, Japan Didn't Ignite the Fire"
Also Participated as Proxy in Election Nullification Lawsuit

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] It has been revealed that Seok Dong-hyun, a lawyer recommended by the People Power Party as a candidate for the head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (PCC), attended a 'Moon Jae-in Resignation' rally last year and made a statement saying, "If it helps national security, I will become a pro-Japanese collaborator." This remark was made while blaming the Korean government for the then-intense conflict with Japan. He has also stirred controversy by writing that "the PCC is a monster that should never have been born."

According to a YouTube video on the 11th, Lawyer Seok took the stage at the 'Moon Jae-in Resignation 10 Million Signature Busan Rally' held on August 3 last year. Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon and former Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-soo were also present.

Lawyer Seok said, "These days, Japan's export restrictions are an economic issue but also a security issue," adding, "As long as it is not an act of treason against the country and its people, I will become a pro-Japanese collaborator. If it is not harmful to our nation and helps our security, I will become a pro-Japanese collaborator in the sense that we should get along well with Japan."

He held the Korean government responsible. Lawyer Seok said, "When (Japan) announced semiconductor export restrictions, shouldn't diplomatic negotiations have been conducted immediately?" He added, "Even if we are furious, the president and government should quietly resolve this issue, but the Blue House's Juche faction secretaries, led by Cho Kuk (former Minister of Justice), worsened and escalated the situation to this extent."

He continued, "Japan did not start the fire while we were idle," and criticized, "Honestly, doesn't the government ignore and mock Japan? I cannot lecture on the forced labor ruling here, but even with such issues, are we supposed to fight with bamboo spears? Twelve ships? Who created a national security situation where only 12 ships remain?" He then said, "Shouldn't we bring down Moon Jae-in?"

This refers to President Moon Jae-in's remark at the Future Economic Vision Strategy Report held at the Jeonnam Provincial Office in July last year, where he mentioned, "The residents of Jeonnam defended the country with Admiral Yi Sun-sin and only twelve ships." Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon also said that President Moon was trying to wage war against Japan and stated, "After dragging us into war and realizing we cannot win on our own, he wants to unite with North Korea's Kim Jong-un."

Lawyer Seok is also involved as a legal representative in the election invalidation lawsuit for the April 15 general election. In June, he appeared on the YouTube broadcast 'God's Hand' and claimed, "There is definitely a tremendous event that can bring down the regime, but just shouting will not work," adding, "Unlike old methods such as ballot box swapping or unauthorized ballot insertion, there is a very high possibility of highly sophisticated digital manipulation."

Lawyer Seok stirred controversy by writing on Facebook the day before, "Personally, I see the PCC as a monster institution that should never have been born."

Shin Young-dae, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, commented, "It is suspicious whether recommending a candidate who opposes the PCC is intended to make things fail," while Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Dong-geun said on Facebook, "The psychology behind recommending such a person is bizarre."

Jang Tae-soo, spokesperson for the Justice Party, said, "A person who denies the system cannot be in charge of operating the system," and pointed out, "Moreover, Lawyer Seok was a politician who tried to run as a candidate for the Future United Party in Busan Haeundae Gap in the last general election but was eliminated in the primary." He added, "He should step down voluntarily."

On the other hand, People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong criticized Democratic Party's recommended candidate Lawyer Jeon Jong-min, saying, "It is difficult to maintain political neutrality. He has a pro-Democratic Party tendency." Lawyer Jeon is participating as a defense attorney in the election law violation case of Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party.

Meanwhile, one of the People Power Party's recommended candidates, Lawyer Son Ki-ho, reportedly expressed his intention to resign due to personal reasons. As a result, the number of candidates under review has been reduced to 10, and the PCC Chief Candidate Recommendation Committee plans to select two final candidates on the 13th.