[Summary] Democratic Party Rejects Choo-Yoon 'Joint Resignation' Proposal... Reiterates Emphasis on 'Prosecutorial Reform'

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 opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Han Seung-gon and Kang Joo-hee] As the court has issued a decision to suspend the Ministry of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's order to suspend Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol from duty, the ruling party is emphasizing its determination to complete 'prosecutorial reform' and is once again pressuring Prosecutor General Yoon to voluntarily resign. They are downplaying the significance of Yoon's return to work and are also distancing themselves from the 'joint resignation theory' involving Minister Choo and Prosecutor General Yoon that has been raised in some quarters.

On the morning of the 2nd, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly via video conference and reiterated the importance of completing prosecutorial reform. He said, "Prosecutorial reform is an urgent task that cannot be abandoned or compromised," adding, "Although it has been frustrated many times over a long period, it is the people's aspiration that can no longer be frustrated."

He continued, "If prosecutorial reform is delayed due to resistance from some or political strife, it would be unfortunate both for the people and for the nation." Although Lee did not directly mention Minister Choo or Prosecutor General Yoon, it appears to be aimed at the collective backlash within the prosecution against the suspension of Yoon from duty.

Lee also said, "The prosecution should accept and implement the reforms desired by the people," adding, "Because it seems to be resisting reform collectively, it is not gaining the trust of the people."

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the party, said at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "We respect the court's judgment," but also made remarks that seemed to downplay the significance by stating, "The injunction approval concerns whether the suspension order is appropriate, and is unrelated to the correctness of the disciplinary action against Prosecutor General Yoon."

Kim added, "We will wait for the results from the Ministry of Justice according to regulations and procedures," urging to observe the outcome of the disciplinary committee meeting, which was postponed to the 4th.

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving a opening remark at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 2nd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

They also showed signs of distancing themselves from the 'joint resignation theory' involving Minister Choo and Prosecutor General Yoon that has been raised in some quarters.

Choi In-ho, chief spokesperson, appeared on YTN Radio's 'Hwang Bo-seon's Start Morning' that day and dismissed the theory, saying, "I have never heard anything about that (joint resignation) at all."

Choi added, "The court's decision did not judge whether the disciplinary reasons against the Prosecutor General were appropriate or not. It was a judgment on the temporary measure of suspension," and said, "I believe the disciplinary committee on the 4th will strictly review whether to discipline or not." He also added, "Recent incidents such as judicial surveillance and meetings with media owners are far from the prosecutorial reform that the people want. It is very disappointing and shocking."

Kim Doo-kwan, a lawmaker from the same party, said in an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "I find it difficult to agree with joint resignation. The President himself will not do that."

He continued, "The court's acceptance of the injunction to suspend the Prosecutor General's duties is because dismissal is almost equivalent if rejected, so it is right to guarantee the right to defense as Prosecutor General for 30 days after the first trial," and predicted, "I think the disciplinary committee will decide on dismissal."

Some lawmakers continued to pressure Prosecutor General Yoon to voluntarily resign. On the 1st, Woo Sang-ho posted on his Facebook, "Prosecutor General Yoon should not involve the prosecution organization and prosecutorial independence for his future as a potential presidential candidate of the opposition party," emphasizing, "If you truly love the prosecution, you should step down now."

Yoon Ho-jung, chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the Democratic Party, also urged Prosecutor General Yoon to voluntarily resign in an interview with KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strong Current,' saying, "For a fair and just prosecution and judicial system to be established in our society, it is really time to make a decision now."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice postponed the disciplinary committee meeting originally scheduled for today (the 2nd) to the 4th. It is analyzed that the resignation of Ko Ki-young, the Deputy Minister of Justice who was supposed to serve as the chairman of the disciplinary committee, influenced this decision.

The Ministry of Justice stated, "To ensure sufficient procedural rights and the right to defense, we accepted the Prosecutor General's request and decided to postpone the disciplinary committee to December 4."