Yang Seung-jo "Yoon Seok-yeol and Choi Jae-hyung Prevention Law Pledge... Candidacy Should Be Restricted for the Duration of Their Term"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Yang Seung-jo, governor of Chungnam Province and a presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, promised on the 27th to prepare the ‘Yoon Seok-yeol and Choi Jae-hyung Prevention Act,’ which prohibits senior officials of investigative agencies from running for public office for the duration of their service in the relevant position.

At a pledge announcement event at the National Assembly that day, Governor Yang said, "Yoon Seok-yeol, the political prosecutor general, and Choi Jae-hyung, the political auditor general, blatantly violated the constitutional provision banning political activities in broad daylight under the watchful eyes of the public," adding, "We can no longer tolerate public office corruption and political speculation."

He stated, "Thorough preventive measures against ‘political speculation’ that tarnishes the honor of public officials responsible for upholding the rule of law and national discipline must be established." The core of Governor Yang’s ‘Yoon Seok-yeol and Choi Jae-hyung Prevention Act’ is to restrict ‘candidacy for public office’ for a period equivalent to the duration of holding the relevant position or office.

Under current law, the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court, the President and Justices of the Constitutional Court, the Chairperson of the Board of Audit and Inspection, the Chief of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, the Prosecutor General, the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency, and the Director of the National Investigation Headquarters can run for public office 90 days after retirement. Governor Yang described this as a mere formal restriction on candidacy.

He emphasized, "We must enhance strict political neutrality and accountability for ‘senior public officials’ appointed by the president and entrusted by the people," and promised, "I will definitely establish strong preventive measures to ensure that a second Yoon Seok-yeol political prosecutor and Choi Jae-hyung political auditor do not reoccur."

Meanwhile, Governor Yang condemned Choi Jae-hyung’s moves to run for president as "political speculation and public office corruption."