Moon "Yoon, ironic to be elected president as a candidate from another party"... Lee Jun-seok "Must be humble"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking about the compromise agreement on the 'complete removal of prosecution's investigative authority' during the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] President Moon Jae-in described President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol as "an ironic case of being elected president as a candidate from another party." On the 26th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, pointed out, "The Prosecutor General (President-elect Yoon) and the Chairperson of the Board of Audit and Inspection (People Power Party lawmaker Choi Jae-hyung), both appointed by him, have become the president and members of the National Assembly of the opposing party."

In a phone interview with BBS Radio's 'Park Kyung-soo's Morning Journal' on the same day, Lee said, "If their participation in our party had been improper or something that would have caused public disapproval, neither of them would have been elected as president and member of the National Assembly, respectively."

He added, "President Moon should be humble before the people's choice. I think it is somewhat excessive to say that something that should not have happened has happened."

Earlier, on the 25th, during a talk program with former anchor Sohn Suk-hee broadcast on JTBC, President Moon said, "It is truly ironic that a candidate from another party was elected president," and "The term of the Prosecutor General is guaranteed, and it is very important to uphold the term. Leaving in the middle is undesirable."

President Moon criticized Minister of Justice nominee Han Dong-hoon, saying, "Using expressions like 'blocking the complete removal of prosecution's investigative powers' (Geomsu Wanbak) with the determination to absolutely prevent it is very inappropriate."

President Moon Jae-in is speaking at the Senior Secretary Meeting held at the Yeomin Hall of the Blue House on the 25th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding this, Lee said, "Although President Moon is currently the sitting president, he is speaking more about current issues than any president during a transition period I have seen. Many changes in the prosecution system occurred during President Moon's term. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials was also newly established," adding, "If you ask whether these were positively evaluated, I don't think so. President Moon should not take a declarative stance on Geomsu Wanbak but should heed the people's opinions."

On the decision to reconsider the mediation plan on Geomsu Wanbak agreed upon by the ruling and opposition floor leaders, he said, "Rather than pushing for reckless legislation, the political sphere should slow down and hold public hearings to listen to the voices of various sectors."

Meanwhile, Bae Hyun-jin, spokesperson for President-elect Yoon, said at a regular briefing held at the transition committee press conference in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, "Yesterday, President Moon pointed out the politicization of the prosecution," adding, "If you think about the essence, the public is paying attention to the current debate because the regime has privatized power."

She continued, "In the past, not only the prosecution but also the police, National Tax Service, and all power institutions pressured the opposing camp and privatized that power, causing considerable fatigue among the people," and questioned, "Isn't that exactly why President-elect Yoon was born?"