Kim Jong-in "President Moon must directly stop Prosecutor General Yoon issue"
Joo Ho-young "Ministry of Justice should rename itself as Regime's Legal Department"
Ha Tae-kyung "President Moon pretends to be a fool... volunteers as Choo's subordinate"
Kim Jong-in, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 3rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The People Power Party urged on the 3rd to halt the disciplinary procedure against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, stating that the so-called 'Yoon Seok-yeol Prosecutor General ousting' by the Moon Jae-in administration is causing international embarrassment.
Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, said at the emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the same day, "The Moon Jae-in government's ousting of the Prosecutor General and the trampling of the rule of law are escalating into a global issue beyond domestic boundaries," adding, "Major media outlets in countries such as the UK and Japan are giving significant coverage to this incident, flooding reports expressing concern over the collapse of the rule of law in Korea."
He continued, "There are criticisms that the government is narrowing its diplomatic stance and inviting isolation. This is nothing short of international disgrace," he said sharply.
He emphasized, "I earnestly appeal to the President," and added, "I believe it would be wise for the President to personally step in and halt the issue concerning Prosecutor General Yoon at this point."
Lee Yong-gu, the newly appointed Deputy Minister of Justice, is answering questions from reporters as he arrives at the Government Complex Gwacheon on the 3rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Joo Ho-young, the floor leader, criticized President Moon for preventing Lee Yong-gu, the newly appointed Deputy Minister of Justice, from serving as the chairman of the disciplinary committee for Prosecutor General Yoon, calling it "turning a blind eye."
At the emergency committee meeting, he pointed out, "All disciplinary committee members are appointed by Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, and even if (Deputy Minister Lee) is not the chairman, he is still a member, so what meaning does that have?"
Additionally, Floor Leader Joo said about Deputy Minister Lee, "He is not only a member of the Uri Law Research Association but also served as the head of the preparation team for Minister Choo's confirmation hearing, and acted as the lawyer for Minister Baek Woon-gyu of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, who became a key figure in the nuclear power plant investigation."
He also criticized Deputy Minister Lee for owning two houses, saying, "This is full of issues that violate the 'one house' requirement demanded by this administration," and urged, "Withdraw the appointment even now."
He added, "It seems that since Minister Choo alone is insufficient to persecute the prosecution, Deputy Minister Lee was sent as a backup," sarcastically remarking, "The name 'Ministry of Justice' should be changed to 'Regime's Legal Department'."
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 answering questions from reporters as he arrived at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu on the afternoon of the 1st. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, criticized President Moon for acting as a subordinate to Minister Choo regarding the disciplinary issue of Prosecutor General Yoon.
In a post on his Facebook on the same day, he said, "It seems President Moon has decided to play the fool regarding the disciplinary issue of Yoon Seok-yeol."
Ha said, "Yesterday, the Blue House stated that if the Ministry of Justice's disciplinary committee decides the level of discipline, the President must follow it as is," adding, "In other words, if Minister Choo makes a decision, President Moon will become a human shield as her subordinate."
He cited Article 23 of the Prosecutor Disciplinary Act, which states that "disciplinary action against prosecutors is taken by the President upon the recommendation of the Minister of Justice," and pointed out, "Even though the recommendation is the same, if the Prime Minister recommends a cabinet member, the President can exercise a veto. However, there is this absurd interpretation that Minister Choo's recommendation must be accepted as is."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
