Towards Autumn, Jeong Seong-ho Who Said "Do It Moderately" Says "Yoon, It's Time to Leave Now"

On the 20th of last month, Jeong Seong-ho, the subcommittee chairman of the Budget and Accounts Special Committee, is speaking at the Budget Adjustment Subcommittee held at the National Assembly.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 30th of last month, Jeong Seong-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who had a heated exchange with Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae of the People Power Party, directly criticized Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol by saying, "It's time to leave now."

On that day, Jeong wrote on his Facebook, "Now is the time when many prosecutors are stepping forward to protect the Prosecutor General," expressing his opinion.

He said, "Regardless of right or wrong, for the sake of the prosecution organization that you love so much and the junior prosecutors who are supporting you, and more importantly, for the country and the people rather than the prosecution, you must step down."

He continued, "What does the Prosecutor General's term have to do with prosecutorial reform?" and raised his voice, asking, "Have any public officials in the Republic of Korea ever acted collectively like prosecutors?"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is delivering opening remarks at the 'Pro-Human Rights Security Measures and Introduction of Mandatory Compliance Litigation Party-Government Consultation' held at the National Assembly on the 26th of last month. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Jeong also said, "In a situation where the Prosecutor General has already become a leading presidential candidate of one political camp, prosecutorial reform and fairness cannot be guaranteed at all. Trust has been broken," adding, "We must follow the cause of prosecutorial reform and the national demand. Therefore, resigning now with dignity and composure is the way to support the prosecution and the country."

Finally, he said, "I hope Prosecutor General Yoon does not miss the decisive timing for resignation. It is the last chance to be remembered as a principled Prosecutor General," and added, "After resignation, he can trust the people and leave it to them."

Earlier, Jeong, who is the chairman of the National Assembly's Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, had drawn fierce criticism from hardline supporters of the ruling party when he sharply told Minister Choo Mi-ae, who was exchanging heated words with opposition lawmakers during the plenary session of the Budget Committee on the 12th of last month, "Please do it in moderation." Afterwards, Jeong expressed his feelings on Facebook, saying, "I said just one word for smooth progress of the meeting, but I have been tired all day."