"Yoon Seok-yeol, 'Trump of Korea,' Ruling Party's Fierce Attack: 'Must Escape Prosecutors' Collective Hypnosis'"

Kim Tae-nyeon Floor Leader "Prosecutors Protecting Illegal Prosecutor General... Need to Innovate Organizational Culture"
Kim Nam-guk "Prosecutor General Who Should Have Completed Prosecutorial Reform Is Instead the Biggest Obstacle"

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Yoon Ho-jung, chairman of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, are seen talking during a plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 1st. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] On the 1st, as the court hearing for the provisional suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's duties was underway, the Democratic Party of Korea strongly criticized Prosecutor General Yoon. The ruling party also pointed out that the collective protest by frontline prosecutors against the suspension of Yoon's duties was "prosecutorial selfishness aimed at preserving privileges."

Kim Tae-nyeon, the Democratic Party floor leader, stated at the party's floor strategy meeting that day, "Yoon's side's claim that 'Yoon, who is investigating government corruption, is being falsely accused and driven out' is a political sophistry to cover up illegal acts," adding, "If the principle of 'prosecutors as one body' requires protecting the Prosecutor General even if illegal, then the prosecutorial organizational culture must be reformed through this opportunity."

Earlier, on the 25th of last month, research prosecutors below the 34th class at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and ordinary prosecutors at the Busan Eastern District Prosecutors' Office issued a statement urging Minister Chu to reconsider the measures to suspend and discipline Prosecutor General Yoon. On the 26th, meetings of ordinary prosecutors were held at more than ten prosecutors' offices nationwide. The signs of collective action by prosecutors nationwide appeared for the first time in seven years since the 2013 incident involving former Prosecutor General Chae Dong-wook, who resigned amid allegations of an extramarital child.

Regarding this, Floor Leader Kim criticized, "The behavior of prosecutors engaging in collective action to protect the Prosecutor General despite clear illegal surveillance acts is another form of selfishness aimed at preserving privileges," adding, "By not saying a word about the situation where Prosecutor General Yoon, who has entered the heart of the political arena, is undermining prosecutorial neutrality and public trust, and only defending him, they are rather encouraging the politicization of the prosecution."

Kim Yong-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, and others are attending the 1st Subcommittee on Bill Examination of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly on the 26th of last month. / Photo by Yonhap News

Kim Yong-min, a member of the same party on the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, said at the floor strategy meeting, "The prosecutors we truly want are those who oppose Prosecutor General Yoon's political remarks and reflect on their own mistakes and actions," urging, "They must quickly break free from the collective self-hypnosis that only the prosecution is absolutely right and just, and become prosecutors for the people."

Also, Kim criticized sarcastically in a post on his Facebook that day, saying, "It seems Prosecutor General Yoon wants to become the Trump of South Korea," and added, "Since such claims don't work in South Korea, I recommend he quietly go to the U.S. and consult with Trump."

Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, wrote on Facebook that day, "The Prosecutor General, who should have completed the era-defining task of prosecutorial reform, has instead become the biggest obstacle to prosecutorial reform," and pointed out, "From the beginning to the recent controversies, his actions are thoroughly evaluated as driven by personal interests and political ambition for the presidency."

He added, "I hope the court and disciplinary committee's correct decisions will open Prosecutor General Yoon's eyes."