[Summary] "Must Wait for Disciplinary Committee's Decision" vs "Choo's Overreach Sparks Backlash" Yoon's Return Highlights Ruling and Opposition Temperature Gap

"Not a Court Decision on Appropriateness of Disciplinary Reasons," Ruling Party Calls for Caution
"Living Conscience Protects Yoon," "Dismiss Chu Immediately," Opposition Criticizes

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae (left) is arriving at the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 1st to attend the Cabinet meeting. Meanwhile, Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who had not been able to go to work due to the decision to suspend Minister Choo from duty, is going to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu in the afternoon. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As the court ruled on the 1st to suspend the effect of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's order to suspend Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol from his duties, reactions from the ruling and opposition parties have diverged. The Democratic Party of Korea took a cautious stance, stating they would "wait for the disciplinary committee's judgment," while the People Power Party claimed that "a living conscience protected Prosecutor General Yoon" and called for Minister Choo's resignation.

Shin Young-dae, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said in a statement that afternoon, "The court's decision on Prosecutor General Yoon's injunction application is not about whether the disciplinary reasons against him are appropriate," adding, "We will wait for the disciplinary committee's judgment." Since the Prosecutor Disciplinary Committee (disciplinary committee) is scheduled to be held on the 4th, this is interpreted as a cautious approach to observe the situation first.

Kim Nam-guk, a member of the same party, also said in an interview on KBS Radio's 'Joo Jin-woo Live' that "Although there are some regrettable points in this court ruling, it appears to be a formal and objective judgment," but added, "This itself does not seem to affect the disciplinary reasons or various decisions made by the disciplinary committee."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 1st to express his position on the Seoul Administrative Court's decision to temporarily suspend the effectiveness of the order to exclude Yoon Seok-yeol from duty. / Photo by Yonhap News

On the other hand, the opposition party made claims that "Minister Choo should be dismissed, and President Moon Jae-in should also apologize for this incident."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a National Assembly press conference that afternoon, "I think the court's decision is a very natural one based on law and conscience, and I actively welcome it," adding, "The regime acted lawlessly and brutally to remove the Prosecutor General, a symbol of public authority, but it seems that living consciences have protected him."

He continued, "President Moon should immediately dismiss Minister Choo, who went through an illegal process excessively," and "The President and Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, who have done nothing until the situation reached this point, should also offer a proper apology."

Kim Geun-sik, professor at Gyeongnam National University and head of the People Power Party's Songpa-byeong district in Seoul, wrote on his Facebook that day targeting Minister Choo, "The true nature of the autumn wind has become like falling autumn leaves," and "Choo Dark (Minister Choo) danced a reckless dance of duty suspension and disciplinary initiation, and eventually, the reckless move brought disaster."

He added, "Public opinion, the prosecution inside, and the court all opposed the regime's excessive attempt to remove Yoon Seok-yeol," and strongly criticized, "Everyone knows that Choo Mi-ae is just the frontman, and the mastermind is President Moon."

On the 1st, lights were on at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office building in Seocho-dong, Seoul, where Yoon Seok-yeol, the Prosecutor General, arrived for work. / Photo by Yonhap News

Jung Jin-seok, a member of the People Power Party, wrote on Facebook that day, "The authority to dismiss Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol lies with the President," and "Minister Choo fabricated absurd misconduct allegations and danced the knife dance to prepare a 'comfortable stepping stone' for the President to dismiss him."

He then pointedly said, "President Moon, please face the anger and cries that are happening now."

Meanwhile, the Seoul Administrative Court's Administrative Division 4 (Presiding Judge Jo Mi-yeon) partially accepted Prosecutor General Yoon's application for suspension of execution, filed in protest against Minister Choo's order to suspend his duties. Accordingly, the order to suspend Yoon's duties issued by Minister Choo on the 24th of last month will lose its effect for up to 30 days after the verdict in his case is announced.

The court explained, "Duty suspension corresponds to tangible and intangible damages that cannot be endured by monetary compensation," and "(Even if Prosecutor General Yoon wins his lawsuit) the damage cannot be restored."

Meanwhile, the disciplinary committee, which will discuss whether to discipline Prosecutor General Yoon and the severity of the discipline, is scheduled to be held on the 4th.