"Shocking Verdict... Yoon Seok-yeol Abused Prosecutorial Power"
Professor Seomin from Dankook University publicly criticized former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, saying he was "disappointed." / Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Professor Seo Min of Dankook University, co-author of the so-called 'Cho Kuk Black Book (A Country Never Experienced Before),' sharply criticized, saying he was "disappointed in former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol."
In a post on his blog on the 14th, Professor Seo wrote, "I apologize for having criticized Choo Mi-ae only in relation to this matter. At the time, I did not know that former Prosecutor General Yoon had abused prosecutorial power," adding, "This ruling was a shock to me. After confirming this news on the train, I was dazed for a while and could do nothing but stare into space."
The ruling Professor Seo referred to was the first-instance loss last December in the lawsuit filed by former Prosecutor General Yoon against the Ministry of Justice seeking to cancel the 'two-month suspension disciplinary action.' Previously, the Seoul Administrative Court Administrative Division 12 (Presiding Judge Jung Yong-seok) ruled against the plaintiff in this lawsuit.
Regarding this, Professor Seo pointed out, "As seen in the rulings on Jung Kyung-shim, Kim Kyung-soo, and Sohn Hye-won, the judiciary under the Moon Jae-in administration made decisions based on conviction," and added, "I don't think the judiciary was influenced by power in this case."
He continued, "The conclusion (of the court) is that former Prosecutor General Yoon abused his authority while serving as the Prosecutor General, thereby committing wrongdoing that compromised the fairness of the investigation," emphasizing this point.
He also criticized, saying, "The explanation that a two-month suspension is lighter than the lower limit of the sentencing guidelines is shocking."
Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential primary candidate / Photo by Yonhap News
Professor Seo said, "When the disciplinary action was taken, the fact that other prosecutors, including those at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, unanimously sided with former Prosecutor General Yoon suggests that this was a long-standing practice," adding, "That does not mean former Prosecutor General Yoon is exonerated. If Yoon Seok-yeol is no different from other Prosecutor Generals, there is no reason for us to respect him any more than others."
Professor Seo also criticized former Prosecutor General Yoon's attitude after the ruling. He said, "I hoped that former Prosecutor General Yoon would humbly accept this ruling and issue an apology message to the public," and criticized, "I was disappointed in him for the first time after seeing his reaction to this ruling." He also expressed concern, saying, "I suddenly worry whether former Prosecutor General Yoon can win the presidential election next year."
Meanwhile, Kim Byung-min, spokesperson for former Prosecutor General Yoon's camp, appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 15th and claimed that "the judiciary made a biased ruling."
Spokesperson Kim said, "Since former Prosecutor General Yoon resigned from his position, the trial result actually has no practical effect, yet the content of the ruling is highly political," adding, "It is a ruling based more on biased claims than on fact-based judgment."
He further added, "I believe the ruling was grossly insufficient to uncover the whole truth of the case," and said, "I also think it is quite possible to argue that this ruling is being used to divert attention caused by the Daejang-dong scandal."
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