Hong Joon-pyo Repeatedly Urges Resignation of 공수처장, Prosecutor General, and Seoul High Prosecutor Chief, Calling Them Shameless

"Must Take Responsibility for Illegal Investigation and Step Down Immediately"
"Later, They Too Will Become Subjects of Investigation"

President Yoon Suk-yeol returned to the presidential residence after 52 days following the court's decision to cancel his detention and the prosecution's decision to forgo an immediate appeal. Meanwhile, Hong Joon-pyo, the mayor of Daegu, reiterated his call for the resignation of the head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), the Prosecutor General, and the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office chief, stating that they must take responsibility for illegal investigations. On the 9th, Hong posted on his social media service (SNS), "Once again, I urge the resignation of the head of the CIO, the Prosecutor General, and the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office chief."

President Yoon Suk-yeol returned to the official residence after 52 days following the court's decision to cancel his detention and the prosecution's waiver of immediate appeal. Meanwhile, Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu, reiterated calls for the resignation of the head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, the Prosecutor General, and the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office Chief, stating they must take responsibility for the illegal investigation. Photo by Daegu City

Earlier, on the 7th, Hong had written on his Facebook regarding the court's decision to cancel President Yoon's detention, saying, "I am deeply grateful for the court's decision," and added, "I hope the head of the CIO, the Prosecutor General, and the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office chief take responsibility for the illegal investigation and resign immediately." He also stated, "If the immediate appeal is dismissed, the entire prosecution organization could be in trouble," and argued, "Since the CIO has no authority to investigate treason, all investigation documents from the CIO and prosecution are invalid, so they should immediately withdraw the indictment." Furthermore, he pointed out, "The impeachment should naturally be dismissed," and criticized, "It is truly embarrassing that such people, who lack basic legal common sense, are heads of investigative agencies."

Hong, who again criticized the prosecution, said, "Those who are heads of investigative agencies have become mere followers of a particular individual, committing an unprecedented case of illegally detaining and indicting the president," and questioned, "How can they still remain in their positions and stall?" He continued, "Stop this shameless behavior and step down," lamenting, "How did the investigative agencies of the Republic of Korea become so corrupt?" He then emphasized again, "As a senior legal professional, I urge once more, step down before you bring more shame." Finally, Hong stressed, "Aren't you ashamed in front of your juniors? But later, they too will become subjects of investigation. This case must thoroughly uncover the masterminds behind it."

On the 8th, Hong also commented on the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial of President Yoon, saying, "If dismissed, there will be chaos; if accepted, war; a difficult situation for the Republic of Korea," and added, "Still, chaos is better than war." He further stated, "We must eradicate the prosecution's private factions, the court's Hanahoe, and the corrupt organizations within the National Election Commission," and argued, "The Constitutional Court and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials should be abolished. There is a mountain of work ahead." On the same day, through his online communication channel 'Dream of Youth' 청문홍답 (Hong Joon-pyo answers youth concerns), in response to a supporter’s comment expressing fear that the cancellation of detention might be a setback for Mayor Hong, he replied, "This is not the time to calculate whether it is a setback," and said, "It was the right decision."