[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Lee Sang-min, a five-term senior member of the Democratic Party of Korea, referred to the situation surrounding Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl as a "fight stinking of garbage" and once again urged their joint resignation.
On the morning of the 27th, Lee posted on his Facebook, "The fight between Minister Choo and Prosecutor General Yoon stinks like garbage, and it is extremely tiresome," adding, "It is already placing a heavy burden on national governance and is causing double and triple suffering to the people who are enduring tremendous pain due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)."
He continued, "Moreover, the leadership of both the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor General has collapsed, making it impossible for them to continue in their positions," and emphasized, "The time to debate reasons or circumstances has passed. Both must resign together. I strongly urge the President to take swift action again."
This is the first time a ruling party member has raised the necessity of the joint resignation of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. Excluding Park Byeong-seok, the Speaker of the National Assembly (six-term), Lee is considered one of the most senior members of the 21st National Assembly (five-term), alongside Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, lawmaker Kim Jin-pyo, and People Power Party lawmaker Joo Ho-young.
In a BBS radio interview on the 24th, Lee said, "Both should resign to prevent further harm to national governance," adding, "This is not about legal systems, cultural movements, judicial reform, or prosecutorial reform; it is simply a power struggle. The President needs to take swift action."
Meanwhile, critical voices regarding the 'Choo-Yoon conflict' have also emerged within the ruling party, including from Lee. On the 25th, Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon posted on his Facebook, "I have received breaking news about the suspension and disciplinary request against Prosecutor General Yoon," and pointed out, "The entire nation is struggling due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. I cannot help but question whether this unprecedented suspension and disciplinary request against the Prosecutor General in constitutional history is justified, whether this is the right time, and whether it benefits the country and society."
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