[Summary] Ruling Party "Decide on Yoon Seok-yeol's Position" vs Opposition "Government Lawlessness, Appalled" Dispute

"Must Face Legal Judgment" Ruling Party Raises Pressure on Prosecutor General Yoon's Position
"Will Shake the Rule of Law in the Republic of Korea" Opposition's Fierce Criticism

Lee Nak-yeon, Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] "I recommend that you decide your position as a public official," "Are you going to stop investigating the living power?"

On the 24th, Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae announced that she would file disciplinary action against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and exclude him from his duties, deepening political conflicts over the issue. While the Democratic Party of Korea is increasing pressure on Prosecutor General Yoon's position, the opposition parties countered, arguing that it is an act of tyranny to block investigations into the living power.

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, wrote on his social network service (SNS) accounts such as Twitter and Facebook on the same day, "It is hard to suppress the shock and disappointment over the charges against Prosecutor General Yoon announced by the Ministry of Justice," and "I recommend Prosecutor General Yoon to decide his position as a public official." This is interpreted as urging Yoon to voluntarily resign.

He added, "I hope the Ministry of Justice will strictly proceed with the future procedures according to the law."

No Woong-rae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, wrote on Facebook that day, "Prosecutor General Yoon, who can no longer perform normal duties, must decide his position himself," and "Even the incumbent Prosecutor General must be investigated and strictly judged by law if there is a misconduct charge. The essence of this case is the superiority complex and protecting one's own within the prosecution."

He continued, "The behavior of considering oneself always righteous and protecting one's close associates at all costs must now be eradicated," and emphasized, "This is why the launch of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and prosecution reform cannot be delayed any longer."

Kim Yong-min, a Democratic Party member of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, also pressured Yoon's position on Facebook that day, saying, "Prosecutors must be punished and disciplined if they make mistakes," and "The Prosecutor General is no exception. That is the minimum duty to the sovereign."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at a virtual party meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 24th. / Photo by Yonhap News

However, the opposition parties countered the Ministry of Justice's exclusion of Yoon from duty as "the power's violence against the prosecution."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, issued a statement that day, saying, "The people are appalled by this lawless state within the government," and urged, "Please clarify whether it is truly the president's intention for the Minister of Justice to block the investigation into the Prosecutor General's abuse of power and corruption by abusing authority, overstepping, and acting unlawfully."

Baek Jun-young, spokesperson for the same party, said in an oral comment, "If the disciplinary request and exclusion from duty against Prosecutor General Yoon are implemented, investigations into the living power will stop, and the rule of law in the Republic of Korea will toll the death knell," and criticized, "The Ministry of Justice has finally certified itself as a lawless and illegal ministry."

Geum Tae-seop, a former Democratic Party lawmaker who hinted at his intention to run in next year's Seoul mayoral by-election, strongly criticized on Facebook that day, "If this continues, how is it different from the Lee Myung-bak government that forced Prosecutor General Chae Dong-wook to resign because they didn't like the comment investigation?" and said, "It is truly shocking."

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is explaining the reasons for the disciplinary request and suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol regarding the inspection results at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office press room in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 24th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, Minister Choo said at a briefing in the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office press room at 6 p.m. that day, "The Ministry of Justice conducted direct inspections on various misconduct charges against the Prosecutor General and confirmed multiple serious and grave misconduct charges," and announced that she ordered disciplinary action and suspension of duties against Prosecutor General Yoon.

The corruption charges mentioned by Minister Choo against Prosecutor General Yoon include ▲ inappropriate contact with media company owners ▲ illegal surveillance of trial courts in major cases such as the former Justice Minister Cho Kuk case ▲ violation of cooperation obligations and obstruction of inspection during the face-to-face investigation of the Prosecutor General ▲ serious damage to the dignity and trust as Prosecutor General regarding political neutrality.

However, as Prosecutor General Yoon hinted at legal countermeasures against Minister Choo's actions, the conflict is expected to reach its peak. In a statement distributed to the media about eight minutes after Minister Choo's briefing, Yoon emphasized, "I will legally respond to the illegal and unfair measures to the end," and "I have fulfilled my duties as Prosecutor General without any shame to protect the political neutrality of the prosecution."