Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk Supported Yoon Seok-yeol in 2013
"Yoon, Who Doesn't Show Loyalty to People, Will Remain in My Heart"
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
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] On the 24th, as Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae announced the suspension and disciplinary request against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, remarks made by some ruling party figures toward Yoon in the past have been reexamined. These comments date back to when Yoon was assigned to the investigation team for the 'National Intelligence Service (NIS) election interference suspicion case' in 2013. President Moon Jae-in, who has been criticized by the opposition for remaining silent, made remarks criticizing the Park Geun-hye administration at that time.
Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk wrote on his Twitter account on October 18, 2013, "The intentions of the Blue House and the Minister of Justice to oust Chae Dong-wook and Yoon Seok-yeol have clearly been revealed," adding, "They cut down prosecutors who conduct proper investigations no matter what. Now I understand what they fear."
He also expressed support for Yoon by saying, "Prosecutor Yoon Seok-yeol's statement today that he does not pledge loyalty to any person will remain in my heart for a long time."
At that time, Yoon served as the head of the special investigation team at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office and investigated suspicions that the NIS manipulated comments on SNS and internet communities to interfere in the presidential election. However, in April of the same year, he clashed with the Ministry of Justice during the process of applying election law violations to former NIS Director Won Sei-hoon, and was subsequently suspended from his duties on October 17 for "not reporting to the prosecution's command line."
A tweet written in 2013 by Park Beom-gye, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Cho Kuk, former Minister of Justice. / Photo by Twitter capture
Additionally, former Prosecutor General Chae Dong-wook resigned voluntarily after about 160 days in office amid the so-called 'extramarital child suspicion' case. However, some criticized that the Blue House, dissatisfied with the prosecution's investigation into the NIS election interference, effectively pressured Chae to resign through the Ministry of Justice. In this context, former Minister Cho defended both former Prosecutor General Chae and then-team leader Yoon.
Democratic Party lawmaker Park Beom-gye wrote on Twitter on November 9 of the same year, "Yoon Seok-yeol hyung (we are contemporaries who joined at the same time) who has never had a conversation with the prosecution, the three-month suspension or any harsher disciplinary action is invalid," urging, "Please protect the prosecution without yielding. Do not resign."
Former Minister Cho also replied to the post, saying, "Please endure even if it is dirty and despicable!"
Meanwhile, then-Democratic Party leader and current President Moon Jae-in made remarks on Twitter condemning the Park Geun-hye administration for 'ousting' former Prosecutor General Chae. On September 13 of the same year, President Moon wrote, "In the end... finally... they are tying up the knot ruthlessly," adding, "It's scary."
President Moon Jae-in, who was the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea in 2013, posted a tweet criticizing the then-administration regarding the resignation of former Prosecutor General Chae Dong-wook. / Photo by Twitter capture
These remarks by some ruling party figures have been pointed out to show a difference in attitude and tone compared to their current stance toward Prosecutor General Yoon.
Former Minister Cho posted a screenshot of the briefing on Twitter on the 24th, when Minister Choo announced the disciplinary request and suspension of Yoon. The screen showed Minister Choo's announcement along with the caption "Illegal surveillance of major case trial panels including the second Cho Kuk case."
President Moon has not issued a separate statement regarding the current situation. On the same day, Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok said, "President Moon received a report just before the announcement by the Minister of Justice and made no separate remarks." On the following day, the 25th, President Moon posted a commemorative message for the first day of 'Violence Against Women Elimination Week' on social media but did not mention Prosecutor General Yoon.
Meanwhile, some responded sarcastically. On the same day, lawmaker Cho Su-jin posted former Minister Cho's past tweets on Facebook, saying, "At times like this, he is Cho-stradamus," a pun comparing Cho to the famous prophet Nostradamus, implying criticism.
Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon also wrote on Facebook that day, "(Former Minister Cho) has been divinely inspired," sarcastically criticizing, "Do not reject fate, accept him."
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