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 at the press room of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 24th. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] On the 25th, Kim Geun-sik, the People Power Party's Seoul Songpa-byeong district committee chairman, evaluated the order by Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae to suspend Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol from his duties, stating, "The Chu-Yoon confrontation has now shifted from a power struggle between Chu Mi-ae and Yoon Seok-yeol to a historical conflict between dictatorship and anti-dictatorship."
Chairman Kim said in a post on his Facebook that day, "The more intense the 'reckless' minister's 'wild dance,' the more the public's anger reaches its peak."
He pointed out, "This essentially means that President Moon Jae-in either led or tacitly approved it. Considering that the president was previously asked to resolve the Chu-Yoon confrontation, it seems that President Moon has now tolerated the ousting of Prosecutor General Yoon," adding, "President Moon's directive to 'investigate even the living power strictly' has already been withdrawn, and the president himself has sent a strong warning that prosecutors who dare to investigate those in power will face disciplinary action."
He also criticized, "It is rather 'shocking' that the minister pretends to be surprised about the prosecutor general's misconduct, which was already prearranged," and said, "They always protect their own side unconditionally and try to oust the opposition by any means. If it is to oust the opposition, they do not hesitate to go to any lengths."
He continued, "During the Park Geun-hye administration, to block the investigation into the National Intelligence Service's online comment manipulation case, Prosecutor General Chae Dong-wook and then-investigation team leader Yoon Seok-yeol were sent to the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office, and as a result, Yoon was appointed as Prosecutor General after serving as the head of the Central District Prosecutors' Office shortly after the Moon administration began," adding, "Now, the Moon administration is pushing Yoon out with disciplinary action to block investigations into those in power. This is truly an irony of history."
He added, "The biggest contributor to Prosecutor General Yoon's rising support will now be Minister Chu and President Moon behind her," and said, "Even if disciplined, Yoon's determination not to yield to power cannot be disciplined, and even if ousted, the prosecution's investigation into those in power cannot be stopped."
Earlier, Minister Chu suspended Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol from his duties on the 24th. This is the first time in constitutional history that a Minister of Justice has ordered the suspension of a sitting Prosecutor General.
Minister Chu made an announcement related to the inspection at a briefing in the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office press room at 6 p.m. that day. She stated, "I cannot help but report to the public the disciplinary request and suspension of the Prosecutor General," and added, "As the Minister of Justice, the highest supervisor of prosecution affairs, I have judged that it is no longer acceptable for the Prosecutor General to perform his duties as the head of the prosecution."
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