Ruling Party and Opposition Both Angry at Prosecution? Ruling Party: "Special Investigation Unit, Yoon's Illegal Detention" Opposition: "Prosecutor General Loyal to Yoon"

People Power Party Demands Legal and Personnel Action Against Special Investigation Headquarters
Democratic Party: "Prosecution Voluntarily Became Yoon's Henchmen"

Following the court's decision to cancel the detention, the prosecution's decision to release President Yoon Seok-yeol has sparked political criticism against the prosecution. The People Power Party demanded an immediate appeal and targeted the Special Investigation Headquarters that resisted the prosecution leadership's release decision, while opposition parties such as the Democratic Party zeroed in on the prosecution leadership that ordered the release despite the Special Investigation Headquarters' opposition.

On the 8th, Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated in a press release, "Although it was late, the release was absolutely natural after 52 days of illegal detention by the Corruption Investigation Office," adding, "We will definitely hold those responsible for the already committed illegal acts."

President Yoon Seok-yeol, released from Seoul Detention Center, arrived in front of the residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul on the 8th, getting out of the vehicle and heading toward supporters. To President Yoon's right is Chief Secretary Jeong Jin-seok of the Presidential Office. Photo by Yonhap News.

Floor leader Kwon said, "It took more than 24 hours from the court's decision to cancel the detention to the actual release, which was an abuse of authority and illegal confinement by the prosecution's Special Investigation Headquarters," and added, "We will hold the Special Investigation Headquarters legally responsible for illegally detaining the president, defying not only the court's ruling but also the order of the Prosecutor General." He further urged, "Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung should consult with the Ministry of Justice and take appropriate measures to restore discipline within the prosecution organization."

Na Kyung-won, a member of the People Power Party, also pointed out on social media, "It has been 52 days since the illegal detention by the Corruption Investigation Office's unlawful arrest, and even after the court's decision to cancel the detention, illegal detention continued for about 28 hours," adding, "The Democratic Party's tantrums and some political prosecutors' obstinacy must be recorded in history without filtering. Criminal responsibility must be pursued to the end."

On the other hand, the opposition criticized the prosecution leadership's decision to release.

Cho Seung-rae, chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party, said, "The prosecution ultimately released the rebel ringleader Yoon Seok-yeol," and criticized, "This is an unpardonable surrender. They declared loyalty to the rebel ringleader instead of the people. Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung and the prosecution, who voluntarily became henchmen of the rebel ringleader, must prepare for harsh judgment from the people."

Lee Dong-hoon, chief spokesperson of the Reform New Party, criticized, "The prosecution's abandonment of the appeal against the cancellation of Yoon Seok-yeol's detention is a surrender of even the minimum pride as a law enforcement agency," adding, "Especially, while claiming that the court's calculation of the detention period was unfair, not appealing is a clear dereliction of duty."

Lee said, "Reforming the conscienceless prosecution and incompetent Corruption Investigation Office has now become a necessity, not a choice," and added, "The resignations of Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung and Corruption Investigation Office Chief Oh Dong-woon will be the starting point of reform."

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon also stated, "The Prosecutor General, who should be loyal to the country and the people, ultimately pledged loyalty to the 'appointing authority' and 'prosecution boss,'" adding, "The released boss is further dividing the country while talking about 'rule of law.' Although the law manipulators can muddy the waters, they cannot reverse the strong current."

Meanwhile, according to the legal community, Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung and other senior officials of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office held a meeting after the court's decision to cancel the detention the previous day and reached a consensus that ordering the release of President Yoon was the right course of action. However, the Special Investigation Headquarters reportedly expressed dissent against the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's release directive, insisting that the court's decision to cancel the detention should be immediately appealed.