Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is giving a speech declaring her candidacy for the 20th presidential election at a studio in Heyri, Paju, Gyeonggi Province on the 23rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Rep. Seol Hoon of the Democratic Party of Korea expressed the view that former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae, who declared her candidacy for the presidential election, is "not running for president."
On the 23rd, Rep. Seol stated on CBS Radio's "Kim Jong-dae's News Up," "To run for president, one must be well prepared, but from what I see, (former Minister Chu) does not seem to be there yet."
He added, "Personally, I think Minister Chu Mi-ae worked very hard while serving as Minister of Justice. I supported her and encouraged her to do her best," but drew a line regarding her presidential candidacy.
However, he explained, "Since she has declared her candidacy, I can only offer words of encouragement to prepare diligently and work hard while coordinating with other candidates."
He continued, "She said she wants to be a hawk that catches pheasants, but I’m not sure what kind of hawk catching pheasants she wants to be in what position," adding, "Isn’t it more like raising pheasants while trying to catch them?"
He also said, "There are stories that (former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol) kept growing because he was constantly attacked, but I don’t think that’s true," and added, "Since our former Minister Chu Mi-ae has declared her candidacy, I hope for good results."
Meanwhile, former Minister Chu has continued to strongly criticize former Prosecutor General Yoon. In a talk show following her declaration speech on the 23rd, she openly targeted him, saying, "He was truly a problematic prosecutor general," and "Even though he knew the information, he covered it up. There might be exclusives and scoops exchanged between legal reporters and the prosecutor general, so maybe he could get away with it there, but once he comes to Yeouido, there’s no such thing."
Earlier, on the 17th, former Minister Chu said, "There is no one who knows former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol as well as I do, so I am the hawk that catches pheasants."
Also, on the 11th, she stated, "For a political prosecutor to go straight to the presidency is like throwing our democracy to the devil."
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