Opposition Gains Momentum... "Stop Reckless Moves, Dismiss Chu and Guarantee Yoon's Term"

Court Halts Minister Chu Mi-ae... Situation Reverses as Yoon Seok-yeol Returns to Duty
Kim Jong-in: "Must Stop Obsession with Specific Individuals. Will Regret Like Past Regimes"
Joo Ho-young: "Chu Mi-ae Should Withdraw Disciplinary Action... Yoon Must Declare Political Neutrality"
Calls Within Party for 'Chu Mi-ae's Arrest and Investigation', 'Minister's Resignation' Also Raised

Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 2nd and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] On the 2nd, the People Power Party sharply targeted President Moon Jae-in, demanding the dismissal of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and the guarantee of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl's term. Following the Ministry of Justice Inspection Committee's decision the previous day, the court also put a brake on Minister Choo's decision to suspend Prosecutor General Yoon from his duties, giving momentum to the party's offensive. Some within the party increased pressure by calling for 'arrest and investigation' and 'ministerial resignation.'

Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in said at a senior lawmakers' joint meeting held at the National Assembly that day, "It seems like there is an attempt to remove Prosecutor General Yoon at all costs, but do not obsess over a specific individual and calmly judge what is right for the development of democracy." He then referred to the Park Geun-hye administration's obstruction of the National Intelligence Service's online comment investigation, warning, "You know well what the results were. If you take reckless measures to drive out Prosecutor General Yoon, a situation will inevitably arise where you will regret it, just like the past administration."

Floor Leader Joo Ho-young raised his voice, saying, "At this stage, the most proper action is for Minister Choo to withdraw the disciplinary action against Prosecutor General Yoon," and added, "President Moon should order the withdrawal of the disciplinary action and immediately dismiss Minister Choo, who caused this chaos." He also emphasized, "President Moon should still mention what he wrote in his book that the guarantee of the prosecutor general's term is decisive for prosecutorial independence." Toward the Democratic Party of Korea, he sharpened his tone, saying, "The Democratic Party leader should immediately accept the parliamentary inspection proposal he first suggested."

Floor Leader Joo also attracted attention by saying on KBS radio that day, "President Moon should dismiss Minister Choo and tell Prosecutor General Yoon to carry out his duties with conviction by guaranteeing his term," adding, "However, since Prosecutor General Yoon is being misunderstood as being able to engage in politics, he must declare political neutrality for the rule of law in Korea to survive and for the neutrality and independence of the prosecution to be guaranteed." While defending Prosecutor General Yoon, he seemed to repeatedly distance himself from Yoon's potential political entry.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lawmakers within the party also raised their voices of criticism toward Minister Choo and President Moon. Lawmaker Jang Je-won said, "President Moon should honestly correct this, not with a cowardly fix," and added, "President Moon should apologize to the people and immediately dismiss Minister Choo." Lawmaker Kwak Sang-do targeted Minister Choo, saying, "Resign from the ministerial post," and added, "After losing trust from prosecutors, external inspection committee members, and even the court, which is like her home base, if she holds on any longer, it will only become more disgraceful." Lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung argued, "Minister Choo deserves arrest, not resignation," and insisted, "To prevent a second Choo Mi-ae, she must be arrested and investigated for abuse of authority."

First-term lawmakers also issued a statement that day, urging President Moon to stop the Ministry of Justice disciplinary committee and immediately dismiss Minister Choo. They said, "The president, who has consistently remained silent about the situation, also bears implicit responsibility for colluding with Minister Choo's abuse of authority," and raised their voices, saying, "This is the president's last chance to prevent the collapse of the rule of law. Now it is time for the president to respond."

Presidential candidates from the opposition camp also voiced criticism in unison toward President Moon and Minister Choo. Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong emphasized, "Even now, President Moon should hold Minister Choo accountable for all the incidents, dismiss her, and guarantee Prosecutor General Yoon's term. That is the only way for both the administration and Korea to survive." Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min also raised his voice, saying, "Although it is already quite late, the president must now make the final choice," and added, "Dismiss the minister and guarantee the prosecutor general's term." He warned, "If the prosecutor general is dismissed and the minister remains, the people will rise up, and if both the minister and prosecutor general are dismissed, it will be nothing but a trick," adding, "The political responsibility will lie with the president and this administration for a long time to come."