Cheong "President Moon received report, no comment"
On the afternoon of the 18th, former Future United Party (now People Power Party) lawmaker Yoo Seung-min gave a lecture on "The Future of Our Economy and the Role of the Social Economy" at Natural Dream Park in Goesan County, Chungbuk. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Former Future United Party (now People Power Party) lawmaker Yoo Seung-min criticized President Moon Jae-in on the 24th for remaining silent after Justice Minister Chu Mi-ae announced the suspension and disciplinary request against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, saying, "The president hides behind the Minister of Justice to avoid responsibility and does not say a word. Why is he so cowardly to this extent?"
On the same day, Yoo posted on his Facebook under the title "Another Cowardly President," stating, "Where on earth is this country heading? The entire nation is shocked and anxious," and pointed out, "Even when an unprecedented and shocking constitutional crisis occurs, the president hides again."
Yoo said, "The heads of the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution, who are responsible for justice and the rule of law, are acting like this, yet the president hides and says nothing? This is not even a country," and criticized, "The president heard the report from the Minister of Justice but said nothing, which means he approved it. Is this something to be done silently?"
He continued, "The Prosecutor General is appointed by the president, so if there are grounds for disciplinary action or suspension, the president should stand before the people and say, 'Although the Prosecutor General has a guaranteed two-year term, he is dismissed due to various wrongdoings,'" adding, "And the president should take political responsibility for failing to guarantee the term."
Yoo then urged President Moon, "Dismiss him boldly and take political responsibility."
He also emphasized, "With the real estate crisis and COVID-19, the people, exhausted physically and mentally, should not have to endure the farce between the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor General. Isn't this too much? Stop being cowardly any longer."
Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is explaining the reasons for the disciplinary request and suspension from duty regarding the inspection results of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol on the afternoon of the 24th at the press room of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
Earlier, Minister Chu announced in the afternoon that she had ordered disciplinary action and suspension against Prosecutor General Yoon.
Minister Chu said, "The Ministry of Justice has conducted direct investigations into various allegations of misconduct against the Prosecutor General, and as a result, confirmed multiple serious and grave allegations of misconduct," adding, "As the highest supervisor of prosecution affairs, I judged that it is no longer acceptable for the Prosecutor General to perform his duties as the head of the prosecution."
In response, Prosecutor General Yoon immediately stated, "I will legally respond to this illegal and unfair disposition to the end."
Regarding this, it was confirmed that President Moon was briefed on the matter before Minister Chu announced the disciplinary request and suspension against Prosecutor General Yoon on the same day.
Kang Min-seok, Blue House spokesperson, told the press corps, "President Moon received the related report just before the Ministry of Justice Minister's announcement and made no separate remarks about it."
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