Democratic Presidential Candidates: "Prosecution's Abuse of Indictment Powers Serious... Must Be Reformed to the Point of Dismantlement"

Lee Jae Myung: "The Era of Political Prosecutors Must End"
Kim Kyung Soo: "Complete Dismantlement of the Prosecution Is the Answer"
Kim Dong Yeon: "The Prosecution Has Drawn a Blade of Madness"

Preliminary presidential candidates of the Democratic Party of Korea strongly criticized the prosecution on April 24 for indicting former President Moon Jae In without detention on bribery charges, calling it "political retaliation" and "an outrage against humanity." Some even argued that the prosecution should be reformed to the point of being dismantled.

Lee Jae Myung (left), Kim Dong Yeon, and Kim Kyung Soo, preliminary candidates for the 21st presidential election primary of the Democratic Party of Korea, are taking a commemorative photo before the debate held on the 23rd at the OhmyTV studio in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Former party leader Lee Jae Myung issued a statement on the same day regarding the indictment of former President Moon, saying, "This is oppression of the previous administration by the prosecution and a case of political retaliation." He added, "We must put an end to the era of political prosecutors who cover up real crimes, fabricate non-existent ones, and abuse their power."

He also pointed out, "The prosecution refused to indict Kim Keon Hee, whose stock manipulation allegations are clear, and even gave up appealing the cancellation of Yoon Suk Yeol's detention, yet abuses its indictment powers against figures from the previous administration."

Kim Kyung Soo, former Governor of South Gyeongsang Province, who is often described as the "legitimate successor to pro-Moon faction" and "Moon Jae In's confidant," posted on his social media the same day, "It is unbearable to witness the behavior of political prosecutors," and stated, "The answer is to leave only the right to indict, and to completely dismantle investigative and political prosecutors."

Kim Dong Yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, met with reporters in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, on the same day and called the indictment "an absolute outrage." He said, "The prosecution, which could not even appeal the dismissal of the ringleader of the rebellion, has now wielded a blade of madness against former President Moon." He emphasized, "The prosecution must be reformed to the point of being dismantled."