"How Was Chief Min's Role..." Park Yong-jin and Cho Kuk's Heated Debate Over 'Yoon Seok-yeol Recommendation'

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The so-called 'recommendation of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol' controversy between former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and Democratic Party lawmaker Park Yong-jin continues.

Earlier, on the 2nd, Park Yong-jin, a Democratic Party lawmaker who appeared on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs,' criticized former Minister Cho for harshly criticizing former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol in his book, saying, "Isn't former Minister Cho the one who recommended former Prosecutor General Yoon for the position? I am curious if there is any reflection on that." The criticism pointed out that although former Minister Cho criticized the prosecution in his memoir, he was the one who recommended former Prosecutor General Yoon.

In response, former Minister Cho said on Twitter, "Why does this person make such inaccurate statements?" and added, "I hope you read the book." He argued that Park's criticism was not valid because the facts were incorrect.

Park Yong-jin, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker [Photo by Yonhap News]

In response to former Minister Cho's remarks, on the 3rd, after holding a press conference on the military recruitment system at the National Assembly Communication Office, Park told reporters, "There must have been warnings and concerns about former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol at the time, but I am curious how the final appointment process proceeded and what role (then Cho Kuk) as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs played."

He continued, "I will read the book as (former Minister Cho) advised, but I heard that the book describes the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs of the Republic of Korea as someone with many mistakes or problems in the recommendation, appointment, and verification process of Yoon Seok-yeol," adding, "I will check if such content exists in the book and whether there was any reflection."

Meanwhile, Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, apologized once again for "not being able to understand the wounded hearts of the people and youth" regarding the 'Cho Kuk incident' during the public opinion listening results briefing on the previous day (the 2nd). He emphasized, "Apart from the legal issues of former Minister Cho, the problems related to his children's college admissions are issues we ourselves need to reflect on."

He also self-reflected, saying, "Although it may not specifically violate the law to graduate from a good university, have good status and connections, and exchange internships and build resumes in a reciprocal manner, it was a cause of frustration and disappointment for countless young people who could not even access such a system." This is the second time the Democratic Party leadership has apologized regarding the Cho Kuk incident, following then-leader Lee Hae-chan in October 2019.