Park Jumin: "Yoon Seok-yeol Disciplinary Action May Become a Criminal Case"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Park Jumin, a member of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, stated that there is a possibility that the disciplinary case against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol could become a criminal case.

On the morning of the 25th, Park appeared on MBC Radio and said, "If the prosecution investigated judges’ family relationships, hobbies, or classification of judges as reasons for disciplining Prosecutor General Yoon, that would be another very serious issue," adding, "Using the materials seized for other purposes could lead to the case becoming a criminal matter."

He also said, "According to the Ministry of Justice’s inspection regulations, cooperation with attendance and testimony is not optional but mandatory," and added, "Failure to comply itself constitutes grounds for inspection and disciplinary action. The explanation from the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office is incorrect."

Regarding the obligation of political neutrality, he said, "Prosecutor General Yoon made remarks during the National Assembly audit that could be interpreted as intending to enter politics after retirement," emphasizing, "If such controversy arose, as Prosecutor General, he should have actively clarified or denied that this was not his intention."

In response to opposition parties’ attacks questioning whether President Moon Jae-in approved the disciplinary action against Prosecutor General Yoon, he countered, "The Minister of Justice exercises authority according to the law," and said, "It would be strange if the President told the Minister not to do so."

He continued, "Disciplinary actions such as suspension or dismissal are not decided by the Minister of Justice but are requested to the President, who then makes the decision," adding, "Since the President’s intentions can be confirmed during the process, there is no need to make a big issue about whether the President approved it at this stage."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

When asked whether Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae and the party had prior consultation regarding this disciplinary case, he said, "After yesterday’s related reports, I spoke with members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and other lawmakers around me, but no one knew about it," adding, "It seems even the Supreme Council members were unaware."

Regarding Democratic Party lawmaker Park Beom-gye, who is also a member of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, saying that Prosecutor General Yoon’s position would be decided around the end of the year or early next year, he said, "You can consider that a general remark. Such comments are the usual level of discussion among our committee members."