[Summary] Cho Ungcheon: "Choo Mi Ae Has Crossed the Point of No Return"; "Moonppa" Urge Immediate Departure from Party

First Criticism of Choo Mi Ae and Prosecution Reform Within the Ruling Party
Cho Ungcheon Directly Challenges Choo Mi Ae:
"Is Excluding Yoon Seokyeol Really Prosecution Reform?"
Pro-Moon and "Moonppa" Supporters Demand Immediate Resignation

Cho Ungcheon, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, reporter Han Seunggon] On November 25, Cho Ungcheon, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized Minister of Justice Choo Mi Ae's decision to suspend Prosecutor General Yoon Seokyeol from duty and the ruling party's plan to amend the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) Act. As a result, he is facing strong backlash from pro-Moon Jae-in supporters, often referred to as "Moonppa" (a derogatory term for those who blindly support President Moon Jae-in). Some have even called for Cho to immediately leave the Democratic Party.

Cho, a former prosecutor, wrote on his Facebook page that day, "Will launching the CIO and excluding Yoon Seokyeol truly establish justice in the criminal justice system?" This has been interpreted as criticism that Minister Choo's direction for prosecution reform is misguided.

Cho also pointed out, "I cannot help but question whether it is truly justified, for the first time in constitutional history, to suspend and seek disciplinary action against the Prosecutor General, whether this is the right time, and whether it benefits the nation and society."

He continued, "Since taking office, Minister Choo has used extremely harsh language toward Prosecutor General Yoon and exercised unprecedented authority over investigations, inspections, and personnel decisions," adding, "In the end, she has crossed a point of no return."

Minister of Justice Choo Mi Ae is attending the full meeting of the High-Ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency Chief Recommendation Committee held at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the direction of prosecution reform, Cho reiterated his criticism, saying, "They have left the prosecution, which is a prosecuting agency, with ambiguous investigative powers, while creating numerous blind spots for oversight and supervision of the police, which is an investigative agency, and even granting the police a monopoly on domestic intelligence gathering."

On the CIO, he said, "We were told not to worry excessively about the CIO because there was a safeguard-the opposition's veto power. Now, however, they are moving to amend the law to neutralize that veto power."

Cho emphasized, "Citizens are eagerly waiting for news that COVID-19 cases have sharply decreased and the economy has improved, rather than news about prosecution reform or the ongoing conflict between Choo Mi Ae and Yoon Seokyeol," adding, "I hope the ruling party can become a force that makes life a little easier for the people."

Immediately after Cho's remarks, there was a strong backlash among pro-Moon supporters and so-called "Moonppa." Supporters criticized him, saying, "Please leave the Democratic Party and join the People Power Party," "Why haven't you left the party yet?" "Isn't this just a statement from the People Power Party?" and "We're really tired of this." Another supporter said, "Do you want to become the next Geum Taeseop?" and called for disciplinary action against Cho at the party level.

Meanwhile, regarding the various criticisms and attacks triggered by his remarks, Cho added, "I will willingly accept criticism of my position."