Choo Mi-ae: "If Prosecutorial Reform Was Well Done During Lee Party Leader's Term" Lee Nak-yeon: "Shouldn't Be in a Position to Feel Disappointed"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae and former party leader Lee Nak-yeon, both presidential candidates from the ruling Democratic Party, engaged in a tense exchange over the prosecution reform promoted by the party. The two, who held the positions of minister and party leader at the time, participated in a one-on-one debate for presidential candidates hosted by OhmyNews on the 1st and engaged in this dispute.

Former Minister Chu mentioned the necessity of prosecution reform, saying, “In 2018, I was the first in the history of the Democratic Party to complete my full term as party leader. However, at that time, it was expected that former leader Lee would step down midway,” adding, “If he had honored the public mandate that gave us 180 seats in the general election and fully completed the reform tasks during his leadership, wouldn’t there be some achievements by now?” He asked, “The separation of investigation and prosecution and media reform did not properly pass; if these had been completed during his term as party leader, wouldn’t such issues have been avoided?”

Former leader Lee responded, “I respect former Minister Chu’s passion for prosecution reform. However, I have always felt regret that she did not show more affection to the fellow lawmakers who worked together at the time.”

Former Minister Chu replied, “I have enough pride and affection for my fellow lawmakers,” adding, “We spoke out because it is important to devote ourselves to the supporters and the public who desire reform and to fulfill our promises. I believe one should not think of the party leader position as something to be gained through favoritism.”

In response, former leader Lee said, “At the time, the party, the government, and the Blue House all deliberated deeply on how to handle former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl and always consulted on the matter,” adding, “It seems that there is still much resentment about that process, which is very embarrassing for us as well.”

He continued, “Former Minister Chu is not in a position to hold such resentment, so I have felt much regret about why she continues to harbor such feelings,” and added, “I hope she will be more inclusive and understand the comrades who worked together at the time, even now.”