Kim Du-kwan "Choo-Yoon joint resignation difficult... New Minister of Justice possible after the launch of the Corruption Investigation Office"

Kim Du-kwan, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Kim Du-kwan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, commented on the rumors about the replacement of Justice Minister Chu Mi-ae, saying he "partially agrees" but finds it "difficult to agree with the idea of a joint resignation with Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl." Earlier, fellow party member Hong Young-pyo mentioned the possibility of replacing the Justice Minister following the launch of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI) in an interview, marking the first such suggestion within the ruling party.

In an interview on June 2 with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Kim said, "After the launch of HOCI, I think the second phase of prosecutorial reform might involve a new person taking the helm of the Ministry of Justice."

Kim added, "It is not easy to take the lead with the drive that Minister Chu has, even at the cost of damaging her own image." However, he emphasized, "I find it difficult to agree with the idea of a joint resignation with Prosecutor General Yoon, and I believe the President will not proceed in that way."

Kim continued with sharp criticism of Prosecutor General Yoon. He said, "I believe the disciplinary committee on June 4 will decide on dismissal," and added, "Having monitored the entire period of his tenure over the past year and several months, I see him as a staunch defender of the entrenched interests within the prosecution, a proponent of prosecutorial privilege."

He further stated, "Yoon says he will take legal action if dismissed, but that will not be easy. If the so-called President who appointed him signs off on the dismissal, it will be politically difficult for him to resist and regain his position."

Kim also noted, "Yoon ranks about second among all potential presidential candidates. As I have said several times, he has already become a politician." He criticized, "In the letter he sent to prosecution staff yesterday, he mentioned political neutrality and improper exercise of authority, but since he is now facing the disciplinary committee, it is hard to agree with those points."

Finally, he said, "Prosecutorial reform has reached about the 90% mark. Although it is described as a conflict between Chu and Yoon, fundamentally, it is a battle between forces that want prosecutorial reform and those trying to block it. The public rightly needs to overcome the deep-rooted evils that have been shown for decades as the prosecution monopolized both indictment and investigation powers."