Political Turmoil... Ruling Party "Yoon Prosecutor General State Audit" Opposition "Propose Law to Prevent Chu Mi-ae's Recklessness"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Park Cheol-eung and Choi Seok-jin] The political sphere is shaken by the suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol. The Democratic Party of Korea has focused on the issue of illegal surveillance of the judiciary and has pulled out the card of a parliamentary investigation into Prosecutor General Yoon, while the People Power Party tried to summon Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon to the National Assembly for explanations, but it was blocked by the Democratic Party.

On the 25th, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting, "I hope the party will consider pursuing a parliamentary investigation in parallel with the Ministry of Justice's inquiry." This reflects the view that some of the chronic evils of the prosecution have been revealed.

Lee said, "The charges against Prosecutor General Yoon revealed by the Ministry of Justice are shocking," adding, "The most shocking thing is the surveillance of judges. We must investigate the truth of whether such an anachronistic and extremely dangerous act still remains within the prosecution and eradicate its roots." Regarding Prosecutor General Yoon, he said, "I hope he will decide his own position for the future of the prosecution."

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party, also said, "Illegal surveillance of the judiciary is something unimaginable," and added, "In the Moon Jae-in administration, which was inaugurated after the impeachment of the Park Geun-hye government due to state and judicial corruption, illegal surveillance is an absolutely intolerable violation of national order and a serious criminal act."

The People Power Party attempted to investigate the truth of the suspension incident through the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, but it failed due to opposition from the Democratic Party. Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters, "We will urgently convene a full meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee today to summon Minister Choo and Prosecutor General Yoon together and understand the situation." Kim Do-eup, the party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee secretary, said, "We have been informed that Prosecutor General Yoon will appear at the National Assembly. There are reports that he has departed from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office," expressing his intention to question Prosecutor General Yoon on current issues.

In response to the People Power Party's request, Yoon Ho-jung, chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the Democratic Party, initially agreed to the meeting but declared an adjournment after about 15 minutes. Chairman Yoon said, "The committee never requested this, nor was the agenda agreed upon," and asked, "Who did you talk to that the Prosecutor General would come in on his own accord?"

In response, the People Power Party plans to propose the so-called 'Choo Mi-ae Runaway Prevention Act.' The party announced that it will submit a partial amendment to the Criminal Act to the National Assembly's legislative affairs office this morning, which stipulates that a public official who abuses authority to obstruct investigation or trial shall be punished by imprisonment of up to seven years. Representative lawmaker Jo Su-jin will lead the proposal, with 30 People Power Party lawmakers co-sponsoring.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor General Yoon is expected to file an administrative lawsuit as early as today (the 25th) to cancel the suspension order against him and apply for a suspension of execution to halt its effect until the lawsuit's outcome is decided. A Supreme Prosecutors' Office official said, "We intend to take legal action as soon as possible."

Cho Nam-kwon, deputy prosecutor general who will lead the prosecution in place of Prosecutor General Yoon, issued a statement on the same day, saying, "We will do our utmost to quickly mend the divided prosecution organization under the cause of prosecution reform and to unite all prosecution members to become a righteous, humble, and united prosecution serving the people."