"Moon Administration Likely Changed Direction Judging Itself as 'Power Soon to Die'"
"'Investigation of Living Power' Is a Logic to Protect Organization to Avoid Prosecutorial Reform"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk analyzed the recently abrupt resignation of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, stating, "I believe the Yoon Seok-yeol prosecution decided to change direction in the second half of 2019, judging the Moon Jae-in administration not as 'living power' but as 'power soon to die.'"
On the 7th, Cho wrote on his Facebook, "After being subjected to relentless attacks and being cornered through the prosecution-media-politics (검-언-정) collusion with accusations such as the 'Cho Kuk Fund' and 'power-type corruption,' I am now in a position where a noose is around my neck and shackles on my ankles, awaiting punishment. However, I want to say this much," he said.
He continued, "The 'prosecutorialists' inside and outside the prosecution, led by former Prosecutor General Yoon, have claimed that 'investigating living power is the real prosecution reform.' Using this frame, they have opposed all institutional reforms such as the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and police, and the separation of investigation and prosecution," he explained.
Furthermore, he asserted, "For former Prosecutor General Yoon, protecting the prosecution organization is more important than the 'Candlelight Revolution.' The motive and purpose of the investigations into living power that unfolded after the second half of 2019 were to derail prosecution reform."
Cho emphasized, "In other words, it is nothing but the selective justice facade and the prosecution's organizational protection logic to avoid or nullify prosecution reform."
He added, "I do not know when or how my trial will conclude. I will humbly reflect on my limitations and faults and face the trial. However, apart from this, institutional reforms to prevent the recurrence of the abnormal behavior of the Korean prosecution must continue," he reiterated.
Former 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, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol announced his resignation in a statement he personally wrote on the afternoon of the 4th in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office building in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
Yoon said that day, "I intend to resign as Prosecutor General today," adding, "The constitutional spirit and 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. My work at the prosecution ends here," he declared.
Meanwhile, Yoon strongly criticized the ruling party's push to establish the Serious Crime Investigation Office (중수청) as part of prosecution reform, calling it "the dismantling of the prosecution."
In an interview with the 'Kukmin Ilbo' on the 2nd, Yoon said, "The legislation currently being pursued is the dismantling of the prosecution," and pointed out, "Even if disadvantages are imposed and pressure applied, the prosecution does not bend, so now they want to prevent the work itself."
When asked whether he sees the establishment of the Serious Crime Investigation Office as true prosecution reform, he replied, "There is a considerable distance," explaining, "To enforce the law efficiently and protect the rights and interests of the people, investigation and prosecution must be integrated. Even if the police mainly handle investigations, in principle, the prosecution and police should be one body and maintain a practical cooperative relationship."
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