[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Jin-tae criticized on the 26th the suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's duties requested by Justice Minister Chu Mi-ae, saying, "I was never a fan of Yoon, but this is too much."
In a post on his Facebook that day, former lawmaker Kim said, "Minister Chu now seems to feel a sense of crisis that if she doesn't bring down Yoon, they will perish, regardless of face or anything else."
Kim pointed out, "The Ulsan (mayoral) rigged election and the Lime and Optimus scandals are minor compared to this," adding, "Documents supporting nuclear power plants in North Korea have even been found. To support nuclear power plants to North Korea, which possesses nuclear weapons, is on a completely different level." This appears to refer to a report by the Chosun Ilbo on the 23rd stating that the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy pursued a plan to build nuclear power plants in North Korea shortly after the first inter-Korean summit in 2018.
Kim continued, "Prosecutors should no longer endure this. If the Prosecutor General is suspended, prosecutors who want to work according to the law will be suspended," and said, "Only prosecutors who flatter those in power will run rampant. This is not why we became prosecutors. We must immediately convene a meeting of ordinary prosecutors and resist."
He added, "The fateful time is approaching for Yoon Seok-yeol. Summon and investigate Chu Mi-ae," emphasizing, "The minister's abuse of power is not just one or two cases. Moon Jae-in said, 'Our Prosecutor General should investigate without fearing power.' Now is exactly that time. The sitting president was investigated, so there is no reason for the Justice Minister to hesitate."
Earlier, Minister Chu ordered disciplinary action and suspension of duties against Prosecutor General Yoon on the 24th. The Ministry of Justice announced on the 26th that the disciplinary committee for Yoon would be held on the 2nd of next month.
Regarding Minister Chu's suspension order, Prosecutor General Yoon reportedly filed a request on the 25th with the Seoul Administrative Court to suspend the enforcement of the suspension order.
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