On the 4th of last month, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is seen giving a farewell speech as he leaves the Supreme Prosecutors' Office building in Seocho-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] A current prosecutor has criticized the political activities of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol.
According to the legal community on the 1st, Park Cheol-wan, head of the Andong branch of the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office, posted a message titled "While reading news related to former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol" on the prosecutors' internal network the day before, stating, "No matter how I think about it, a former Prosecutor General participating in political activities aligned with a particular camp seems to contradict the public's desire for the political neutrality and independence of the prosecution, an institution dedicated to upholding the rule of law."
Park said, "Since no one can be perfect, I feel a sense of fear," and added, "Although former Prosecutor General Yoon is no longer in office, as someone who was once the head of the prosecution, I believe he will prioritize considering what direction will enhance the prosecution's political neutrality and independence as he makes important choices in the rest of his life."
He also reposted a comment he had left on a message Yoon posted on the internal network before his resignation. At that time, he said, "I hope you will thoroughly break the frame that some members of the ruling party have tried to impose on you, accusing you of using the organization and authority for political activities or personal gain," and "I once again thank the Prosecutor General for his decision to resign early so that the prosecution can be free from political controversies."
Regarding the ruling party's push to establish the Serious Crime Investigation Office (Jungsucheong), Yoon, who retired on the 4th of last month, strongly opposed the "complete removal of prosecutorial investigative authority (Geomsu Wanbak)," calling it "complete corruption that allows corruption to run rampant." Although he has not yet started full-fledged political activities, he has voiced opinions on various issues, signaling his entry into politics, and he currently holds the highest approval ratings among next presidential candidates in various opinion polls.
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