Yun Hojung: "Yoon's Refusal of Ministry of Justice Briefing is 'Petty'... Judiciary Committee to Convene"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Yoon Ho-jung, Co-Chairman of the Emergency Response Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the transition committee of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol for postponing the Ministry of Justice's work briefing, calling it a "petty act."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 25th, Chairman Yoon said at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly in the morning, "The Democratic Party will accelerate the resolution of pressing legislative tasks such as livelihood issues, the Daejang-dong special prosecution, prosecution reform, and political reform," and sharply criticized the transition committee for postponing the Ministry of Justice's work briefing, which had opposed the abolition of the prosecution's investigative authority the previous day, calling it a "petty act."

The Democratic Party views President-elect Yoon's plan to abolish the Ministry of Justice Minister's investigative authority as a regression in prosecution reform. It is explained that this authority is the minimum device for checking and balancing prosecutorial power, and Yoon's pledge to abolish it is ultimately pressure to "surrender."

In particular, with the confirmation of the 'Lee Jae-myung faction's' dominance in the recent floor leader election, 'Geomsu-wanbak' (complete removal of prosecution's investigative authority), one of the reform tasks within the current administration, has emerged as the biggest issue. Hardline party members, mainly supporters of Lee Jae-myung, are strongly demanding the completion of prosecution reform from the 3rd floor leadership, fearing retaliatory investigations by the Yoon administration. The Democratic Party's emphasis on being a "strong opposition party" to confront the Yoon administration appears to stem from this context.

Chairman Yoon emphasized, "(The Ministry of Justice Minister's) investigative authority is the last check to prevent prosecutorial overreach," adding, "It is an essential system, especially considering the public's concern about a prosecution republic."

He also stated, "The Democratic Party will immediately convene the Judiciary Committee to uncover the conspiracy to worsen the prosecution system," expressing his determination not to back down even a step.