Yoon Seok-yeol Returns to Duty... Ruling Party Says "We Will Continue Prosecutorial Reform"

Democratic Party's Indirect Response
Emphasizes Need for Reform Instead of Mentioning Yoon
Kim Tae-nyeon "Waiting for Ministry of Justice's Decision"
"Must Watch Disciplinary Committee on the 4th" Voices

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] With the return of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol to duty marking a new phase in the conflict between Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon, the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) appears unable to hide its embarrassment. On the 2nd, the DPK refrained from directly mentioning Prosecutor General Yoon while taking an indirect approach emphasizing the necessity of prosecutorial reform.

The party leadership is maintaining a cautious stance for now. This contrasts with their previous sharp remarks directed at Prosecutor General Yoon, such as "Decide your position like a public official" and "(The suspension decision) is a proper measure according to laws and regulations."

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 2nd via video conference and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

DPK leader Lee Nak-yeon avoided any mention of Prosecutor General Yoon and instead emphasized the need for prosecutorial reform, indirectly addressing the situation. At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, he said, "These days, we are going through great pains. The root of the problem is prosecutorial reform." He added, "Prosecutorial reform is an urgent task that cannot be abandoned or compromised," emphasizing, "We will continue prosecutorial reform with firm determination."

This seems to slightly avoid pressuring Prosecutor General Yoon to resign.

Floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon also briefly mentioned at the Supreme Council meeting, "We respect the court's (suspension) ruling." However, he added, "We will wait for the Ministry of Justice's decision based on standards and procedures," and "The DPK will complete prosecutorial reform, a task of the era, together with the people, no matter what obstacles arise."

Chief spokesperson Choi said in an interview with YTN Radio's 'Hwang Bo-seon's Start of a New Morning' that "The court's decision is not a judgment on the appropriateness of the disciplinary reasons against the Prosecutor General but a judgment on the suspension of duty," emphasizing, "We will observe the disciplinary committee on the 4th and wait for judgment."

Even on the 1st, when the court issued the suspension suspension effectiveness stay decision, the DPK leadership said, "We have not heard anything. We need to judge based on media reports," offering no particular interpretation. Leader Lee did not specifically comment on the matter. Floor leader Kim, after the plenary session, told reporters, "We need to see the reports to know," and spokesperson Shin Young-dae dismissed concerns by saying, "The court's decision did not judge whether the disciplinary reasons against Prosecutor General Yoon are appropriate. We will wait for the disciplinary committee's judgment." This shows the party's internal embarrassment was hard to conceal.

Other lawmakers outside the leadership continue to raise the level of criticism against Prosecutor General Yoon regardless of the decision. Lawmaker Kim Doo-kwan, who had raised calls for dismissal, said in an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that "He is a proponent of prosecutorial vested interests protecting the prosecution organization," and "The disciplinary committee will decide on dismissal. I think he should be dismissed." Lawmaker Woo Sang-ho, the day before, said, "Now is the time for Prosecutor General Yoon to make a decision," demanding resignation, adding, "He can no longer claim political neutrality. He cannot perform his duties normally." Lawmaker Jang Kyung-tae also said on the same day, "The court's suspension effectiveness stay is not a pardon," explaining, "Since the Prosecutor General's duties play an important role, the disciplinary process should proceed rather than suspension to avoid a vacancy."

The broader ruling coalition also joined the criticism. On the 30th, Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, who was reassigned to the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, quoted a message Prosecutor General Yoon sent internally to the prosecution on Facebook, saying, "It reminds me of the word 'out-of-body experience' after a long time. It is not a word that a public official who repeatedly engages in political actions while undermining constitutional values can dare to utter," and criticized, "The responsibility for causing such prolonged national turmoil will never be light."