Controversy over 'Sepyeongsujip': Park Seongmin Says "Problematic to Collect Systematically" vs Lee Junseok "Not an Issue of Prosecutor General Suspension"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae (left), Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl (right). / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgi Kim] Park Sung-min, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out on the 30th that there is a serious problem in prosecutors systematically collecting and managing judges' personal information, which is one of the reasons for the suspension order of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's duties. On the other hand, Lee Jun-seok, former Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, rebutted that "it is difficult to see this as a matter warranting suspension of duties."

On the same day, Supreme Council Member Park stated in an interview with KBS Radio's "Kim Kyung-rae's Strong Current Affairs," "During the judicial scandal, it was Prosecutor General Yoon who explicitly called the judges' blacklist surveillance. Considering that prosecutors systematically gathered this information, there is a serious problem."

Park added, "The prosecution collected and gathered sensitive political tendencies and personal information close to private matters. Instead of judging the basis of rulings legally, there is a problem that the judge's tendencies could be questioned and leaked. This could cause the public to distrust by thinking that certain judges ruled favorably for specific individuals."

He continued, "Prosecutor General Yoon must take responsibility for this. He is the head of the organization, and there is evidence that the Supreme Prosecutors' Office directed this. The final line of command and reporting is actually Prosecutor General Yoon." He predicted, "When the Ministry of Justice holds a disciplinary committee to determine the level of discipline, I believe a severe judgment such as dismissal or suspension, not just a simple pay cut, will be made."

On the other hand, former Supreme Council Member Lee argued, "No one has been suspended for collecting judges' personal information. Even if a prosecutor collected some information beyond the scope while gathering judges' personal information, why would that warrant suspending the Prosecutor General's duties?" He criticized, "This is something Minister Chu Mi-ae should explain. Why is Prosecutor General Yoon always linked to responsibility and resignation issues for everything?"

He added, "Surveillance usually refers to a person in a dominant position trying to expel or apply personnel pressure on a subordinate. But prosecutors also accumulate information to maintain prosecution during trials. In a trial, is the prosecutor or the judge in the dominant position? The judge is the dominant party. This is merely close to collecting personal information and does not meet the requirements for disadvantage."