"Resignation Was the Right Move" vs "Political Prosecution" Yoon Seok-yeol's Resignation... Citizens Divided

Yoon Seok-yeol's Sudden Resignation at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 4th at 2 PM
Yoon: "My work at the prosecution ends here"
Moon Accepts Yoon's Resignation Just Over an Hour After Announcement

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is greeting Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin during his visit to the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office and District Prosecutors' Office on the afternoon of the 3rd for a meeting with staff.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Han Seung-gon and Kim Cho-young] "It's unfortunate. But it seems he stuck to his convictions until the end. But can he really jump into politics?"

As Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol abruptly announced his resignation on the 4th, citizens met at the Seoul Station waiting room expressed various opinions, with some believing that Yoon might soon appear in the political arena, while others thought it might be impossible altogether.

Kim, a man in his 50s who was watching the breaking news about Yoon's resignation on a large TV set up at Seoul Station, said, "I'm curious about what his next move will be," adding, "I wonder if he had already been thinking about this during the Chu Mi-ae incident. If he was planning a political move, he probably thought it would be difficult to do so while serving as Prosecutor General."

Lee, a man in his 40s who said he works in Wonju, Gangwon Province, said, "I support Yoon Seok-yeol's resignation. He has made political statements continuously before. He fought well against the Moon Jae-in administration. I think he resigned because he believed the prosecution lost its original purpose and wanted to protect it. I support his resignation," he emphasized.

On the afternoon of the 4th, citizens are watching news related to Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's resignation in the Seoul Station waiting room. Photo by Kim Choyoung, intern reporter choyoung@asiae.co.kr

On the other hand, there were opposing views. Park, a woman in her 70s living in Seoul, criticized Yoon's resignation, saying, "He should have completed his term as prosecutor. I supported him because he seemed reliable, so it's unfortunate."

Another Park, a woman in her 40s working at a company, said, "It seems like he is preparing for politics," adding, "There is a by-election, and next year is the presidential election. If he wants to prepare, there isn't much time. It looks like he resigned now to prepare for the Seoul mayoral race and the presidential election."

Choi, a woman in her 60s who lives in Busan but was visiting Seoul briefly, said, "I thought he was a person with conviction, so it's unfortunate. He should have stayed until the end as Prosecutor General. I don't know why he resigned. I was supporting and cheering for him, so it's disappointing," she said.

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol announced his resignation on the afternoon of the 4th at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Yoon, who had been in conflict with the Moon Jae-in administration over prosecutorial reform, abruptly announced his resignation on this day. It was just three days after he unusually began criticizing the Central Investigation Headquarters through a media interview on the 2nd.

At 2 p.m. on the same day, Yoon announced in a written statement in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office building in Seocho-gu, Seoul, "I intend to resign as Prosecutor General today."

He said, "The constitutional spirit and the rule of law system that have sustained this country are being destroyed. The damage will inevitably fall on the people." He continued, "I can no longer watch the common sense and justice that our society has built up over many years collapse," emphasizing, "My role in the prosecution ends here."

Yoon added, "However, as I have done so far, I will do my utmost to protect liberal democracy and the people, regardless of my position in the future," and expressed gratitude, saying, "I thank everyone who supported and cheered for me, as well as those who gave me sharp criticism."

Meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in accepted Yoon's resignation immediately about an hour after it was announced. Yoon, who was appointed Prosecutor General on July 24, 2019, stepped down with 142 days left in his approximately one year and eight months term. He is the 14th Prosecutor General out of 22 since the term system was implemented in 1988 who did not complete the full term.