The Democratic Party backs Choo Mi-ae with a 'Yoon Seok-yeol State Investigation'... "Yoon must decide his own position"

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering opening remarks while attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th via video conference. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Won Dara] The Democratic Party of Korea has decided to support Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae from the rear by playing the 'Yoon Seok-yeol State Investigation' card. They repeatedly warned Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol to "decide his own position."

On the morning of the 25th, at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon said, "The allegations 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 We must investigate the truth of whether such an outdated and extremely dangerous practice still exists within the prosecution and root it out."

Leader Lee continued, "Our party must also do what is necessary," emphasizing, "Alongside the Ministry of Justice's investigation, I hope the party will consider pushing for a state investigation in the National Assembly." Regarding Prosecutor General Yoon, he said, "For the future of the prosecution, I hope he decides his own position."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim Tae-nyeon, the Democratic Party floor leader, also said, "After the Park Geun-hye administration was impeached due to state manipulation and judicial manipulation, illegal surveillance is an absolutely unacceptable national disgrace and a serious criminal act under the Moon Jae-in administration," adding, "It is necessary to thoroughly uncover the truth through a state investigation or special investigation."

Democratic Party lawmakers continued their tough remarks. Park Joo-min, a Democratic Party member of the National Assembly's Judiciary Committee, appeared on MBC Radio that morning and said, "If the prosecution has identified judges' family relations, hobbies, or classification of judges among the reasons for disciplining Prosecutor General Yoon, that is another very serious problem," adding, "Using seized materials for other purposes could lead to criminal charges."

Regarding the obligation of political neutrality, Representative Park said, "Prosecutor General Yoon made remarks at 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 explained or denied that was not the intention."

Kim Jong-min, a Democratic Party Supreme Council member, said at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "The Yoon Seok-yeol prosecution is the strongest prosecution in the history of the Republic of Korea," adding, "Surveillance of judges is an outdated practice from the past that even the National Intelligence Service does not do." No Woong-rae, another Democratic Party Supreme Council member, said, "Prosecutor General Yoon has stated he will respond legally until the end," adding, "It would be better if he steps down quickly, even for a day."

However, Cho Eung-cheon, a Democratic Party lawmaker known as a 'principled faction,' pointed out on the morning of the 5th on his Facebook, "Regardless of agreement on the severity and appropriateness of the disciplinary reasons, I could not help but ask whether this unprecedented exclusion from duty and disciplinary request for a Prosecutor General in constitutional history is justified, whether now is the right time, and whether it benefits the country and society."

Representative Cho said, "Minister Choo exercised extremely harsh language and unprecedented investigative authority, inspection authority, and personnel authority immediately after Prosecutor General Yoon's appointment. Then, she crossed the point of no return with exclusion from duty and disciplinary request," adding, "I want to ask, does all this align with prosecution reform? Will launching the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and excluding Yoon Seok-yeol establish justice in criminal justice?"

He also said, "The entire nation has been struggling with COVID-19 for a year. Citizens are eagerly awaiting news that COVID-19 cases have sharply decreased and the economy has improved rather than news starting with prosecution reform or Choo Mi-ae and Yoon Seok-yeol," adding, "I hope the ruling party becomes one that makes the people feel more comfortable. I will accept criticism of my opinion graciously."

Meanwhile, Park Yong-jin, a member of the Democratic Party and one of the 'principled faction' members known as 'Jo-Geum-Bak-Hae' (Cho Eung-cheon, Geum Tae-seop, Park Yong-jin, Kim Hae-young), said, "If the content announced by the Minister of Justice yesterday is true, this is an issue where discipline is inevitable. I am cautiously viewing it," but refrained from further comment.