Kim Ki-hyun on 'Yoon Seok-yeol's Job Exclusion': "The President Should Explain Directly"

Kim Ki-hyun, Member of the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Amid controversy over Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's order to suspend Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol from duty and request disciplinary action, Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, urged President Moon Jae-in to "come forward and explain directly to the public."

On the 24th, Kim posted on his Facebook, saying, "What is the president's stance on Minister Choo's suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon?"

Kim stated, "The Prosecutor General is a position appointed and dismissed by the president, so it is not a matter for Minister Choo to unilaterally decide to suspend him," and criticized, "Who would believe the Blue House's announcement that the president was briefed just before the announcement and said nothing?"

He continued, "This is an unprecedented issue in constitutional history," and criticized, "This is a serious matter that requires the president himself, not the Minister of Justice, to come forward and explain to the public."

Finally, Kim demanded, "The president should clearly disclose what reports he received from Minister Choo and on what grounds he approved Prosecutor General Yoon's suspension."

Meanwhile, on the 24th at 6 p.m., Minister Choo stated at a briefing in the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office press room, "The Ministry of Justice conducted a direct inspection into multiple allegations of misconduct against the Prosecutor General and confirmed numerous serious and grave allegations," announcing the order for disciplinary action and suspension against Prosecutor General Yoon.

In response, Prosecutor General Yoon's side immediately stated, "To uphold the political neutrality of the prosecution, I have fulfilled my duties as Prosecutor General without any shame," and vowed, "We will legally respond to the unlawful and unjust measures to the end."

Meanwhile, the Blue House stated on the same day, "President Moon was briefed on the matter just before the Justice Minister's announcement and made no separate remarks."