[Summary] "Yoon must declare 'I will not do politics'" to Joo Ho-young... Even within the opposition, "Not an appropriate claim"

Joo Ho-young "Yoon must declare 'I will not engage in politics' to guarantee prosecution neutrality"
Even within the party, "Whether to engage in politics is a personal decision," "Depends on his own will"

On the morning of the 2nd, Joo Ho-young, the floor leader, is speaking at the emergency countermeasure committee chairman and senior lawmakers joint meeting held at the National Assembly. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 2nd, Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, faced criticism from within the party for saying that Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol should "declare that he will not engage in politics." It was pointed out that it is not right for a third party to meddle in an individual's decision to participate in politics.

On the same day, Joo appeared on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' and said, "It's not that Prosecutor General Yoon is not doing politics, but he must clearly declare that he will not engage in politics," adding, "that is the way for the rule of law in the Republic of Korea to survive and for the neutrality and independence of the prosecution to be guaranteed."

He also criticized the high approval ratings of Prosecutor General Yoon in the next presidential candidate polls, saying, "It is wrong to include the incumbent prosecutor general, who should be neutral, among the presidential candidates," and "It is normal to exclude him from the survey."

Joo further stated, "At the last National Assembly inspection, (Prosecutor General Yoon) said, 'I will think about what I can do to serve the people after retirement,' which I do not see as a statement of political intention," adding, "Anyone can think about their willingness to serve the country after retirement as a general matter, but the Democratic Party is attacking him by reading that as a political intention through 'mind reading'."

However, when asked about the possibility of recruiting Prosecutor General Yoon after his term ends, he avoided a direct answer, saying, "Talking about tomorrow makes the ghost laugh."

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who was unable to go to work due to the decision to exclude him from duty by Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, is arriving at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu on the afternoon of the 1st.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Within the party, opinions emerged that Joo's remarks were inappropriate. On the same day, Kwon Young-se, a member of the People Power Party, shared an article about Joo on his Facebook and said, "It does not seem to be an appropriate claim."

He added, "The government and ruling party might give a pretext to push the narrative that it is a big mistake that Prosecutor General Yoon has not declared that he will not engage in politics," and criticized, "They (the government and ruling party) arbitrarily interpret 'I will serve society' as 'I will do politics' and use that as a basis to file disciplinary actions."

Kwon emphasized, "whether an individual engages in politics is purely a matter for that individual to decide," and "the judgment of its appropriateness will ultimately be made by the people."

Jung Jin-seok, also from the same party, pointed out that Prosecutor General Yoon's political participation "depends on his own will." He opened his remarks on Facebook by saying, "The controversy over 'politician Yoon Seok-yeol' is growing. Regardless of personal likes or political preferences toward Yoon Seok-yeol, we already have clearly established principles."

Jung referred to the constitutional principles of popular sovereignty and the rights to hold public office and to be elected, saying, "The argument that Yoon Seok-yeol should not run for president denies the basic spirit of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and is an unconstitutional claim," and "Primarily, it depends on Yoon Seok-yeol's own will, and whether he becomes president is a matter for the people to decide."

He also said, "Yoon Seok-yeol has adhered to the political neutrality of public officials as prescribed by the Constitution more faithfully than any other prosecutor general. That is why he is receiving support from people angry at the Moon Jae-in administration's double standards," and reiterated, "Whether to make Yoon Seok-yeol president is a choice for our people."

Meanwhile, Jeon Yeo-ok, a former Saenuri Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party) lawmaker, also criticized Joo on the same day, saying, "How petty are his words and actions?"

On her blog, she said, "It is shocking that the People Power Party, which the people have grudgingly supported every election, is at this level," and evaluated, "It seems to be anxiety that if Prosecutor General Yoon rises as a presidential candidate, the People Power Party will be left in ruins."

Jeon also said, "If Prosecutor General Yoon rises as a presidential candidate, shouldn't they just hold his wrist and say, 'Thank you, let's work together'?" adding, "This is why it is not the People Power Party but 'People's Chaos.' The people are not gathering around the People Power Party."