[Summary] "Are you saying you want to fight the President?" "Don't think of opposing" Ruling Party pressures Yoon Seok-yeol to resign voluntarily

Yoon Seok-yeol Files Injunction Request and Cancellation Lawsuit Against Disciplinary Action

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is arriving at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol has filed a lawsuit challenging his 'two-month suspension' disciplinary action, while the ruling party has launched an all-out offensive effectively urging Yoon to resign, citing prosecutorial reform. Members of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) who strongly criticized with remarks such as 'A new start for the prosecution, voluntary resignation, standing against the president' urged Yoon to step down, saying he is opposing President Moon Jae-in.

Kim Tae-nyeon, the DPK floor leader, said at the policy coordination meeting on the 17th, "Reform that abandons past privileges and moves toward a prosecution for the people is the trend of the times," adding, "I hope the prosecution will take this opportunity to start anew."

Heo Young, DPK spokesperson, met with reporters at the National Assembly that morning and pressured Yoon by saying, "As a public official, it is time to practice self-restraint and reflection for the people."

DPK lawmaker Ahn Min-seok appeared on BBS Radio's 'Park Kyung-soo's Morning Journal' the same day and commented on Yoon's planned legal response, saying, "It is a declaration of war against the people and the president," and added, "He should resign, but he is holding out and saying 'Let's have a showdown,' which is truly regrettable."

He continued, "President Moon is actually a very formidable person. He seems gentle usually, but can be formidable when he decides," and pressured, "I don't think Yoon can defeat the people who want prosecutorial reform and the president."

Woo Sang-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning Sang-hyuk Han, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, during the National Assembly inspection of the Korea Communications Commission held by the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of October 8.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

DPK lawmaker Woo Sang-ho, who declared his candidacy for the Seoul mayoral by-election, pointed out on his Facebook, "Yoon may have endured by playing the role of a public official persecuted by the regime, emphasizing procedural legitimacy, but there is no room for objection to the disciplinary committee's decision," and said, "To avoid shame before the people, the only option left is voluntary resignation."

Hong Ik-pyo, director of the Democratic Research Institute, also said on the same day on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs,' "Yoon showing such behavior may rather look petty," and added, "I think it is time for him to accept the disciplinary action itself and reconsider his position."

DPK lawmaker Kim Nam-guk wrote on his Facebook, "There is a stark contrast between a person who takes full responsibility as a public official and a person who irresponsibly insists on having no responsibility until the end," and urged, "Fulfill your duty as a public official."

Former Blue House Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Kang Ki-jung appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that day and recommended that Yoon voluntarily resign since Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae has expressed her intention to resign.

Former Secretary Kang said, "Filing an administrative lawsuit or a suspension of execution is a means to seek redress if one feels wronged, so it is possible, but from now on, he must not forget that this is a fight against the president," and added, "Whether Yoon will continue to fight the president is a matter he must decide."

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae (left) Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl (right) [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, earlier, the Ministry of Justice's Prosecutor Disciplinary Committee decided on the 16th to suspend Yoon for two months. On the same day, President Moon approved the two-month suspension disciplinary measure for Yoon, as proposed by Minister Choo.

In response, Yoon's side filed a request for suspension of execution and a lawsuit to cancel the disciplinary action on the 17th.

Yoon's lawyer Lee Wan-gyu announced that they filed an administrative lawsuit electronically at the Seoul Administrative Court against the disciplinary action. They also applied for a suspension of execution to halt the disciplinary effect until the main lawsuit's outcome is determined, allowing Yoon to continue his duties as Prosecutor General.

In the suspension of execution application, Yoon emphasized the irreparable damage caused by the suspension and the procedural illegality and unfairness during the disciplinary process.

If the court accepts Yoon's suspension of execution application, the two-month suspension disciplinary action will be suspended until the main lawsuit on the cancellation of the disciplinary action is decided. Conversely, if the application is dismissed, the two-month suspension will remain effective until the ruling on the cancellation lawsuit is made.