"Is Yoon a Special Class?... Even Chun Doohwan Didn't Go This Far," Jeong Chungrae Criticizes Yoon's Refusal to Appear

Former President Yoon Refuses Special Prosecutor’s Summons
Jeong Chungrae: "Still Cannot Distinguish Right from Wrong"
"Prosecution Reform Will Be Completed Before Chuseok"

As former President Yoon Seokyeol continues to refuse the special prosecutor's request for attendance, Jeong Chungrae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, strongly criticized him, stating, "Even Chun Doohwan did not go this far." Jeong, who is running in the Democratic Party's leadership election, said during an interview on YTN Radio's 'Shin Yul's News Frontline' on June 30, "Can a person under investigation decide the date, time, and place? If so, it would be lawlessness," adding, "It seems that former President Yoon still cannot distinguish right from wrong."

Jeong Chungrae, Democratic Party of Korea member. Photo by Asia Economy DB

Jeong further remarked, "When he (former President Yoon) was a prosecutor and summoned suspects, did he ever say, 'Do as you please' if they did not appear? I hope he reflects on that. Is he a special class, a chosen person, or above the law? Regardless of everything else, as a person, he should not behave this way."

He continued, "The penalty for the ringleader of treason is either the death penalty or life imprisonment. I have never seen a case where a suspect is not detained and walks freely on the streets like this. The public's anxiety is growing. The fact that a suspect in the most serious crime of being the ringleader of treason is neither urgently arrested nor detained, and is instead roaming around the neighborhood, is extremely dangerous and creates anxiety and fear. Therefore, he should be urgently arrested and quickly detained."

Regarding the People Power Party's opposition to the nomination of Kim Minseok as Prime Minister, Jeong stated, "What the People Power Party should do is offer a deep apology for the emergency martial law, treason, and their defeat in the presidential election. This is a time for self-reflection, introspection, discipline, and penance, not a time for sit-in protests. Showing humility, apologizing, and reflecting before the public would actually benefit the People Power Party, but engaging in such protests is, in my view, detrimental to the party."

Jeong added, "I believe (Kim Minseok) will naturally pass the plenary vote. There was no decisive blow during the two-day confirmation hearing, and despite the People Power Party's efforts, nothing significant was uncovered. Kim Minseok explained himself well, and I see no problem with him performing the duties of Prime Minister."

Regarding Jeong Seongho, who has been nominated as Minister of Justice, Jeong said, "As a former weightlifting athlete, I hope he puts all his strength into achieving prosecution reform in one go," adding, "We are aiming to complete prosecution reform within three months at the latest, before Chuseok." He continued, "Reform plans for the prosecution, judiciary, and media have already been proposed. In the case of prosecution reform, the separation of investigation and indictment has been thoroughly discussed and many bills have been submitted, so I do not think it will be difficult."

The Democratic Party will begin candidate registration on the 10th of this month, followed by primaries in Chungcheong on the 19th, Yeongnam on the 20th, Honam on the 26th, Gyeonggi and Incheon on the 27th, and in Seoul, Gangwon, and Jeju on August 2. The party will elect its leader and one Supreme Council member at the national convention to be held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. If there are four or more registered candidates, a preliminary primary will be held on the 15th of the following month to narrow the field to three candidates each.