Geum Tae-seop: "No Different from What Made Chae Dong-wook Resign During Comment Investigation"
Former Prosecutor General Chae Dong-wook Voluntarily Resigned in 2013 After 'Illegitimate Child Allegation'
Criticism at the Time That 청 Applied External Pressure Related to National Intelligence Service Comment Investigation
Yoon Also Claims He Was 'Targeted for Removal' While Conducting 'Power-Targeted Investigation'
Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae explained the reasons for the disciplinary request and suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol regarding the inspection results at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office press room in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 24th. / Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As Justice Minister Chu Mi-ae decided to suspend Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol from duty and request disciplinary action, the so-called Chu-Yoon conflict is reaching its peak. Some argue that this is no different from the 2013 case involving former Prosecutor General Chae Dong-wook, who resigned amid allegations of an extramarital child. Both cases of former Prosecutor General Chae and Prosecutor General Yoon have been criticized as attempts to block prosecution investigations into the living power.
Earlier, on the 24th at 6 p.m., Minister Chu held a briefing at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office press room, stating, "The Ministry of Justice conducted a direct inspection into various allegations of misconduct against the Prosecutor General and confirmed multiple serious and grave allegations of misconduct," announcing the decision to suspend Prosecutor General Yoon from duty and request disciplinary action.
The allegations of corruption against Prosecutor General Yoon mentioned by Minister Chu include ▲ inappropriate contact with media company owners ▲ illegal surveillance of trial courts in major cases such as the former Justice Minister Cho Kuk case ▲ violation of cooperation obligations and obstruction of inspection during the face-to-face investigation with the Prosecutor General ▲ and serious damage to the dignity and trust as Prosecutor General regarding political neutrality.
Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is arriving at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 20th. / Photo by Yonhap News
However, some opposition figures criticized Minister Chu’s measures. Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop wrote on Facebook that "If this continues, how is it different from the Park Geun-hye administration forcing former Prosecutor General Chae to resign over dissatisfaction with the comment investigation?" This is interpreted as an assertion that both former Prosecutor General Chae and Prosecutor General Yoon were 'purged' by the Ministry of Justice while conducting investigations targeting power.
Former Prosecutor General Chae resigned voluntarily in 2013 amid allegations of having an extramarital child. At that time, then-Minister of Justice Hwang Kyo-ahn ordered an inspection regarding the allegations. However, some criticized that the Blue House, dissatisfied with the prosecution’s investigation into the National Intelligence Service’s (NIS) involvement in the presidential election through online comments, pressured former Prosecutor General Chae via the Ministry of Justice.
Similar criticisms have been raised regarding the suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon. It is argued that the Ministry of Justice under Minister Chu purged Prosecutor General Yoon’s prosecution, which had clashed with the government and ruling party while leading investigations into allegations related to former Justice Minister Cho Kuk and the Blue House’s interference in the Ulsan mayoral election.
The fact that frontline prosecutors protested after the suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon also bears resemblance to the former Prosecutor General Chae case.
Former Prosecutor General Chae Dong-wook / Photo by Yonhap News
According to the legal community on the 25th, prosecutors below the third grade at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office posted a statement titled "Position of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office Researchers on the Disciplinary Request and Suspension of the Prosecutor General" on the internal prosecution network 'Epross,' stating, "The Minister of Justice’s decision not only infringes on the independence of prosecution duties but also seriously undermines the rule of law."
On the 26th, meetings of frontline prosecutors are scheduled to be held in more than 10 locations nationwide. During the former Prosecutor General Chae case, meetings of frontline prosecutors were also held at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office, leading to what was called a 'prosecution turmoil.'
However, unlike former Prosecutor General Chae, who resigned voluntarily about 160 days after taking office amid the extramarital child allegations, Prosecutor General Yoon is expected to engage in a head-to-head confrontation with Minister Chu.
In a statement distributed to the media on the 24th, Prosecutor General Yoon called Minister Chu’s suspension and disciplinary request "illegal and unjust measures" and vowed to "respond legally to the end."
He added, "I have carried out my duties as Prosecutor General without any shame to protect the political neutrality of the prosecution."
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