Democratic Party Slams Shim Woojung's Resignation: "Utter Shamelessness Until the End... Fleeing to Avoid Impending Investigation"

On July 1, the Democratic Party of Korea strongly criticized Prosecutor General Shim Woojung's offer to resign, stating, "Isn't he running away to avoid the impending disciplinary action and investigation?"

Shim Woojung Prosecutor General. Photo by Yoon Dongju

Spokesperson Park Kyungmi said in a briefing at the National Assembly Communication Center in Yeouido, Seoul, that afternoon, "Prosecutor General Shim has shown the height of shamelessness until the very end."

Park stated, "Prosecutor General Shim claimed that 'stepping down from his position is the last act of responsibility' as he offered his resignation, but it is not something a prosecutor general who is resigning midway while leaving behind numerous suspicions should say." Park further asserted, "Prosecutor General Shim must first be investigated to determine what he did during the rebellion and whether he exerted undue influence over the prosecution's investigation into the rebellion."

Regarding Prosecutor General Shim's expression of concern about the Lee Jaemyung administration's prosecution reform plan as his reason for resignation, Park said, "It is absurd that the very person who took the lead in undermining the independence and fairness of the prosecution is now trying to muddy the waters of prosecution reform," adding, "Prosecution reform was brought upon the prosecution by itself. If the prosecution had faithfully performed its original duties in front of Yoon Sukyeol and Kim Keonhee, there would have been no need to endure such harsh reforms."

Park continued, "Prosecution reform is the prosecution's own doing, and if Prosecutor General Shim has any conscience, he would have nothing to say in his defense," and added, "The Democratic Party will carry out unstoppable prosecution reform to dismantle the unchecked power the prosecution has wielded and to ensure that a monster like the political prosecution never emerges again."

Park also said, "As Prosecutor General Shim flees, he should not attempt to obstruct prosecution reform, but instead prepare to faithfully undergo investigation regarding the suspicions surrounding him."