"Contrary to Common Sense" Yoon, 'Whistleblower Solicitation' Allegations... Will He Face Them Head-On? [Han Seung-gon's Political Notebook]

Ruling and opposition presidential candidates simultaneously criticize former Prosecutor General Yoon's 'accusation instigation'
Yoon Seok-yeol: "Present the evidence... Have you only experienced political manipulation of power and media once or twice?"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential primary candidate, is entering the conference room at the Christian Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to hold a meeting with the representative union organizations of the Korean church and lay organizations. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Yoon Seok-yeol, the former Prosecutor General and a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, has been embroiled in the so-called 'commissioned accusation suspicion.' Immediately, presidential candidates from the Democratic Party launched a fierce offensive, while candidates from the People Power Party demanded direct explanations from former Prosecutor General Yoon.

Previously, Yoon was also involved in various controversies surrounding his mother-in-law and wife, so how he navigates this crisis is expected to affect not only his presidential election approval ratings but also his standing within the People Power Party. Yoon dismissed the allegations, stating they were against common sense.

◆ Political turmoil ahead of the presidential election... What exactly is the 'commissioned accusation'?

On the 2nd, the online media outlet 'Newsbus' reported that on April 3 last year, Son Jun-sung (Human Rights Protection Officer at Daegu High Prosecutors' Office), then the Investigation Information Policy Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, handed a complaint to Kim Woong, a candidate for the Future United Party (now People Power Party) National Assembly, regarding three individuals: Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation; Choi Kang-wook and Hwang Hee-seok, then proportional representation candidates of the Open Democratic Party; as well as seven media personnel and unidentified individuals, totaling 11 people. Kim reportedly delivered this complaint to the party.

The complaint included allegations that these politicians were involved in the MBC report on the 'collusion between prosecutors and media' from March last year. The complainant section was left blank, raising suspicions of a commissioned accusation. However, no actual prosecution was carried out using this complaint.

Nevertheless, the fact that a senior official at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office wrote a complaint intended to accuse a specific political faction to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and handed it to an opposition politician has caused a major stir in political circles, raising suspicions of 'commissioned accusation.' Regarding this, Son, the Human Rights Protection Officer, stated in a text message exchange with a media outlet the previous day, "I have no knowledge of this matter and have nothing to explain."

Former leader of the Democratic Party, Lee Nak-yeon, is holding a press conference at the Democratic Party Gwangju Branch on the morning of May 16.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ "Strong additional measures needed" Ruling and opposition presidential candidates unanimously criticize former Prosecutor General Yoon

Presidential candidates from the Democratic Party launched a fierce attack on former Prosecutor General Yoon. On the 2nd, former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon held an emergency press conference, stating, "Strong additional measures such as an investigation by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office and a state audit are necessary."

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung also criticized on his Facebook post, saying, "If true, this is blatant political interference by the prosecution and a clear attempt at a prosecutorial coup."

Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, who had conflicts with Yoon over prosecutorial reform, raised suspicions, saying, "If the report is true, this is clearly a Yoon Seok-yeol political conspiracy gate." Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun demanded the convening of the Judiciary Committee, stating, "If true, this is a serious crime shaking the foundation of the nation."

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk claimed, "Yoon Seok-yeol's prosecution had plans before the general election," adding, "This is a clear criminal act beyond infringing on press freedom. Immediate investigation is needed not only for Deputy Chief Prosecutor Son, who commissioned the accusation, but also for his superiors."

Amid the political turmoil caused by the 'commissioned accusation' suspicion, Kim Woong, the politician at the center of the allegations, outright denied the related suspicions. Kim issued a statement saying, "At that time, there were numerous reports to my office, and the materials received were naturally delivered to the party's legal support team," adding, "Delivering reported materials to the party is not problematic at all."

The People Power Party has begun verifying the facts. Party leader Lee Jun-seok told reporters, "After compiling statements from various parties, there are not many confirmed facts," emphasizing, "We have no particular stance." He added, "I have instructed to verify the facts," and said, "According to Kim Woong's explanation, it does not seem to be a big issue."

Yoo Seung-min, People Power Party presidential pre-candidate [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ "The candidate himself must reveal the truth" People Power Party presidential candidates urge former Prosecutor General Yoon to clarify his position

As the People Power Party responds at the party level to the 'commissioned accusation' suspicion surrounding former Prosecutor General Yoon, criticism of Yoon continues within the party.

On the 3rd, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min's campaign issued a statement saying, "We urge candidate Yoon to clearly state whether he instructed the document's creation," adding, "Also, the circumstances under which the reported materials were leaked must be revealed. Fact verification is the top priority and must not be exploited for political attacks."

Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung pointed out on social media on the 2nd, "If candidate Yoon ordered or condoned the accusation, it seriously undermines the political neutrality of the prosecution," adding, "Even if he was unaware, he cannot be free from command responsibility." He pressured Yoon, saying, "I hope the candidate himself reveals the truth so as not to become an obstacle to the people's wish for regime change."

Also, on the previous day, lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo said at a Ulsan City Party meeting, "This is a sensitive matter," but added, "This issue is something candidate Yoon Seok-yeol must clarify himself."

Meanwhile, concerns have emerged that the so-called 'Yoon Seok-yeol commissioned accusation' suspicion could spread across the entire opposition. Former lawmaker Jang Sung-min appeared on MBC radio that day, saying, "If true, this is a very serious situation for candidate Yoon Seok-yeol," adding, "It is also a serious situation for the opposition and could create a black hole effect in the massive movement yearning for regime change." He continued, "It would be very fatal," and said, "Candidate Yoon must respond very actively to this issue and thoroughly explain it to the public with a clear conscience."

Yoon Seok-yeol, a preliminary candidate for the People Power Party's presidential primary, is attending a meeting with the Korean Church Representative Federation and lay organizations held at the Christian Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 3rd, delivering a greeting.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

◆ Yoon Seok-yeol dismisses 'commissioned accusation' suspicion as 'against common sense'

Amid criticism from ruling and opposition presidential candidates over the 'commissioned accusation' suspicion, former Prosecutor General Yoon on the 3rd said, "The very idea of commissioning an accusation is against common sense," adding, "This is an issue that does not require an accusation, so why would anyone do it?" He made these remarks while meeting reporters during scheduled events, including a visit to the Korean Church Representative Council and paying respects at the Jeon Tae-il statue.

Yoon said, "Do you remember last January when prosecutors investigating government corruption, as well as those supporting them, were dismissed in retaliation? The government did not even proceed with investigations against unfavorable individuals. Even if victims filed complaints, investigations were uncertain. Would they investigate just because of an accusation? The idea of commissioning such is against common sense."

He also challenged, "If there is evidence, present it," adding, "Looking at last year's Channel A case, the responsible reporter was acquitted, and the political conspiracy of the prosecution and media was exposed." Yoon's side is internally reviewing the level of legal response to this report.

Meanwhile, on the 3rd, Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye met with reporters on his way to the Ministry of Justice and said regarding the suspicion that the Supreme Prosecutors' Office under former Prosecutor General Yoon requested the opposition party to accuse pro-government figures, "This is a matter concerning the honor of the entire prosecution," adding, "I hope the investigation proceeds as quickly as possible."

He explained, "I have personally reviewed it, and this case requires various legal reviews. The Ministry of Justice also needs to verify facts within its accessible scope," adding, "The Inspection Office is reviewing it to determine whether an inspection is necessary."