Seok Donghyun "Historic Drama, Yoon Seokyeol Will Be Dismissed... Might Hold a Street Press Conference"

Photo by Seok Donghyun, lawyer, Facebook capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] Seok Dong-hyun, a lawyer who is a university classmate of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and was nominated as a candidate for the head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office by the People Power Party, predicted that Prosecutor General Yoon would be dismissed.

On the 30th, Lawyer Seok wrote on his Facebook, "It seems that another drama that will remain in our modern history will unfold over the next 3 to 4 days," adding, "The protagonist will be Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol." He continued, "Although it is a last-minute entry for Yoon on the special stage hastily prepared by Choo, he has already been well trained, and overall the situation is not bad," and said, "I have my own guesses about what kind of drama we will see."

Lawyer Seok stated, "At the hearing on the injunction to suspend the suspension of duties on November 30, only the lawyers will appear, and after the hearing, by that night or at the latest by noon on the 1st, I believe the court will issue a decision suspending the effect of Choo's suspension order, thus siding with Prosecutor General Yoon," adding, "Regardless of the facts or validity of the reasons for Choo's disciplinary referral of Yoon, suspending the duties of the Prosecutor General was clearly unlawful and improper due to lack of urgency and abuse of discretion."

He went on to explain, "In fact, whether the court grants the injunction by the 1st or not, it does not make much difference to the overall trend," and "Even if the injunction is granted and Prosecutor General Yoon returns to his office, if the disciplinary committee convened on the 2nd decides on dismissal, he will have to turn around again."

The hearing on the suspension of the enforcement of the job suspension order against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol will be held on the 30th at the Seoul Administrative Court. Tension is running high at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu on that day. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Lawyer Seok predicted, "The Ministry of Justice Inspection Committee meeting on December 1 may not be held because the members might fail to meet the quorum due to invisible pressures," adding, "Even if it is held, it will probably only criticize Choo for hastily amending the Ministry of Justice inspection regulations and referring Yoon for discipline without prior consultation with the Inspection Committee." He also said, "Of course, given the many flaws in Choo's actions, there is a considerable possibility that the inspection committee members will strongly criticize Choo's inspection and disciplinary referral of Prosecutor General Yoon."

He further forecasted, "At the Ministry of Justice Disciplinary Committee meeting on December 2, the disciplinary committee members appointed by Choo will likely turn a blind eye, using fabricated reasons such as responsibility for judicial surveillance, and attempt the highest level of discipline against Prosecutor General Yoon, namely dismissal," adding, "It is an important crossroads, and through that occasion, Yoon can show the public a composed appearance despite unjust persecution. It is highly likely that Yoon will attend and respond directly that day, and that seems appropriate." He added, "Attending the disciplinary committee on the 2nd will likely be his last official duty as Prosecutor General."

Lawyer Seok said, "If the disciplinary committee decides on dismissal on the 2nd, then on the 3rd, there will likely be several encore stages," adding, "First, President Moon, as the appointing authority, will finalize Yoon's dismissal by signing the disciplinary dismissal approval document submitted by the Ministry of Justice."

He continued, "If Prosecutor General Yoon is dismissed and Choo prevents him from holding a retirement ceremony at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office building, Yoon will have to express his feelings about being dismissed in front of the main gate of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, which will likely become his first street press conference as he embarks on a new path," and concluded, "Over the next 3 to 4 days, my longtime friend and former colleague Yoon Seok-yeol may be somewhat weary, but I hope he shows a great appearance and wish him good luck."