President Moon's Resignation Accepted in Just Over an Hour... Yoon Seok-yeol Sparks 'Political Turmoil' (Comprehensive 2)

Jeong Manho, Chief of National Communication, Announces Acceptance of Prosecutor General Yoon's Resignation... A Major Variable in the Presidential Election Climate and Prosecution Reform Trends

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "President Moon Jae-in has accepted Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's resignation." The statement announced by Jeong Man-ho, Senior Secretary for Public Communication at the Blue House, at 3:15 p.m. on the 4th at the Chuncheon Press Center was brief and to the point. It is an event that could become a turning point in the political landscape of the first half of 2021.

About an hour after Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol expressed his intention to resign at 2 p.m. in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office entrance, the Blue House announced the acceptance of his resignation. The Chuncheon Press Center was busy throughout the day. Kang Min-seok, the Blue House spokesperson, visited the press center twice, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Although reporters continued to ask about Prosecutor General Yoon's position, he remained reserved.

After Kang's two visits to the press center, Senior Secretary Jeong took the microphone himself. Jeong's announcement was delivered via live broadcast. The card of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, whom President Moon had appointed, ultimately ended in failure. This is a scene that could lead to responsibility for personnel decisions by President Moon. There was speculation that the Blue House might deliberate over whether to accept or reject Yoon's resignation.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, it did not take long for the Blue House to make the announcement. It means that the point of no return had already been crossed. Prosecutor General Yoon's resignation does not only signify the departure of Prosecutor Yoon Seok-yeol from public office. Yoon delivered a political message tantamount to a declaration of presidential candidacy when he expressed his intention to resign.

Yoon stated, "I can no longer stand by while justice and common sense are collapsing," and added, "Wherever I am in the future, I will do my best to protect liberal democracy and safeguard the people."

Yoon has announced the first step of his long political journey. From the perspective of the Blue House and the ruling party, it was the moment they judged him no longer a companion.

A senior Blue House official explained, "Yoon's resignation letter has been submitted to the Ministry of Justice, and administrative procedures related to the acceptance of the resignation will proceed," adding, "The appointment of a successor prosecutor general will also follow the legally prescribed procedures."

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is arriving at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 4th. At this location, Prosecutor General Yoon announced his resignation from the position of Prosecutor General. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The vacancy left by Prosecutor General Yoon must be filled by someone. The selection of a successor prosecutor general and the parliamentary confirmation hearings will be another powder keg. If Yoon embarks on full-fledged political activities, sharp confrontations may continue. President Moon's plan for a smooth landing of prosecutorial reform has also effectively been shaken. President Moon left this message at the New Year's press conference on January 18.

"To sum up my evaluation of Prosecutor General Yoon in one sentence, I would simply say he is 'the prosecutor general of the Moon Jae-in administration.' And I do not think he is currently serving as prosecutor general with the intention of engaging in politics or preparing for political activities."

This could be interpreted as a message defending Yoon or as a political check. The clear fact is that Yoon has now stepped down from the position of prosecutor general of the Moon Jae-in administration. The political turmoil triggered by Yoon Seok-yeol has already become a reality.