Hong Joon-pyo "Yoon's Abuse of Power Investigation... An Ironic Situation Unfolding"

Hong Joon-pyo Independent Member of Parliament Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Choyoung] On the 10th, Hong Joon-pyo, an independent member of the National Assembly, described the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit's (HCIC) investigation into former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol for abuse of authority as "truly an ironic matter."

On that day, Hong posted on his Facebook, "The crime of abuse of authority under criminal law is a very stringent offense that I never once applied during my time as a prosecutor," he began.

He added, "However, the abuse of authority charge was ruthlessly applied like Jo Jaryong's old sword during the Moon Jae-in administration's investigation into deep-rooted evils," and wrote, "At that time, Yoon Seok-yeol's prosecution ruthlessly applied the abuse of authority charge to everyone in the administration, including former President Park Geun-hye, the Blue House Chief of Staff, and senior secretaries."

He pointed out, "It is truly ironic that Yoon, who rose on the abuse of authority charge, is now being investigated for the same charge, regardless of whether the allegations are true or not," and said, "If there are allegations, it is a boomerang; if not, it is political oppression."

According to the legal community on the 10th, the HCIC registered former Prosecutor General Yoon on the 4th on charges including abuse of authority and obstruction of rights and is currently investigating.

Former Prosecutor General Yoon is accused of inadequately investigating the Optimus fund fraud case, resulting in a non-prosecution decision, and of obstructing the investigation and prosecution of prosecutors suspected of witness tampering in connection with former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook's bribery case.