Jung Sye-kyun: "Yoon Seok-yeol has only been a prosecutor... If he goes into politics, it would be a misfortune for the country"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, having completed the farewell ceremony, is leaving the Government Seoul Office Building on the 16th. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said about former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, "He has only worked as a prosecutor," and if he enters politics, "it could be a misfortune for the country."

On the 23rd, on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' when the host said, "Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl often comes out first in support polls. But in some interview, you said 'Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl is an easy opponent,'" Chung replied, "He has only worked as a prosecutor."

He continued, "He did not complete his term and resigned voluntarily, did he not? Political neutrality is one of the most important virtues for prosecutors. Therefore, in the past, no prosecutor general has ever gone straight into politics immediately after finishing their term," he pointed out. Then he said, "But this person resigned in the middle without completing his term and is going straight into politics? If you think about that carefully, will the public keep applauding?"

Former Prime Minister Chung also said, "If he goes straight into politics, it will set a bad precedent. That would be unfortunate for the prosecution organization and the country."

Regarding the high support for former Prosecutor General Yoon in opinion polls, he mentioned, "There can be a difference in the strength and solidity between support built on some achievements and results, and support due to mere spillover benefits."

Regarding COVID-19 vaccination, he said that 12 million people will complete their first dose by the end of June, and herd immunity will be possible by the end of November. Former Prime Minister Chung explained, "The AstraZeneca vaccine is appropriate to have an 8 to 12-week interval between the first and second doses. So, the amount for the second dose of AstraZeneca is being used for the first dose first." He also said, "Please leave concerns about the supply to the government."

He viewed the possibility that the U.S. would not provide contracted vaccine quantities as low. Former Prime Minister Chung said, "There is a contract and a promise of delivery by a certain time. If the U.S. imposes an embargo, it would be equivalent to intercepting it. Is that possible? That is something only gangsters would do."

Regarding the Russian vaccine, he said, "We have already looked into it," and added, "Currently, there is no need to purchase it yet. However, we cannot say there will never be such a need in the future."