Gominjeong: "Yoon, who broke his promise to the people, says he will work for them... Hypocritical"

"Draft of the Serious Crime Investigation Office Not Even Finalized"
"Kicked Away Before Even Coming to the Table"

Gominjeong, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Go Minjung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who abruptly decided to resign, saying, "The term of office is a promise made to the people upon inauguration," and "He broke that promise."

Go appeared on JTBC's 'Jeon Yong-woo's NewsON' that day and pointed out, "It is contradictory to say that you will work for the people while breaking the promise made to them."

She added, "(Prosecutor General Yoon) did not answer numerous questions, and it was the same at his last appearance yesterday," and said, "Perhaps making a political decision would be a more honest attitude."

She also criticized, "The reason for expressing his intention to resign is related to the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), but in fact, even a finalized plan for the CIO has not been presented," and "He rejected it despite many processes still remaining."

Go questioned, "Saying that he cannot accept something as if it were completed when it is not even finished yet is like kicking the table before the meal is served," and asked, "What was so urgent?"

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is giving a farewell speech as he leaves the Supreme Prosecutors' Office building in Seocho-gu, Seoul, after resigning on the afternoon of the 4th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, Prosecutor General Yoon announced his intention to resign on the afternoon of the 4th at 2 p.m. in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office building in Seocho-gu, Seoul, releasing a written statement he prepared himself.

Yoon said, "I intend to resign as Prosecutor General today," and added, "The constitutional spirit and the rule of law system that have sustained this country are being destroyed. The damage will fall entirely on the people."

He continued, "I can no longer stand by as the justice and common sense that this society has painstakingly built collapse," and stated, "My work at the prosecution ends here."

He further said, "From now on, wherever I am, I will do my best to protect freedom, democracy, and the people."

Meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in accepted Yoon's resignation about an hour after it was announced.

Jung Man-ho, the Blue House Chief of Public Communication, said in a briefing that day, "President Moon Jae-in has accepted Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's resignation." Thus, Yoon, who took office as the 43rd Prosecutor General on July 25, 2019, stepped down 142 days before the end of his term.