"허황된 야심 Chudark, 검찰 개혁 실패" Jin Joong-kwon, Sharp Criticism of Choo Mi-ae

"Choo Mi-ae Keeps Making Unreasonable Moves"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is holding a press conference on the afternoon of the 11th at the Government Complex Gwacheon and answering questions from the press. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon evaluated on the 12th that the prosecution reform has failed, mentioning the Ministry of Justice's plan to separate the investigation and prosecution authorities. He claimed that Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae pushed prosecution reform by mobilizing so-called loyal prosecutors. He also criticized that although the disclosure of indictments was blocked, it ultimately failed.

On the morning of the same day, Jin posted on his Facebook, "Choo Mi-ae keeps making reckless moves. First, (1) she mobilized loyal prosecutors to desperately block the prosecution of key figures in the regime. All prosecutors in charge of investigations were demoted. But it failed, right? Then, (2) she used absurd logic and blatant lies to block the disclosure of indictments. That also failed, right?"

He continued, "So hastily, the last card she pulled out was (3) the separation of investigative prosecutors and prosecuting prosecutors. In this case, even if the investigative prosecutor works hard on the investigation, the prosecuting prosecutor might simply refuse to prosecute. That's exactly what prosecutors like Lee Sung-yoon, whom Choo Mi-ae appointed, do during their meals," he pointed out.

Yoon Seok-yeol, Prosecutor General
Photo by Yonhap News

He added, "Prosecution reform is already a lost cause. The original purpose of prosecution reform was to make the prosecution an independent body free from political influence. The essence of that was summarized in one sentence by the president at the inauguration of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl: 'Strike even the living power with the sword.' But what these people are actually doing is directly opposing that purpose," he criticized.

He continued, "Choo Mi-ae is blocking the prosecution's blade from targeting the living power through extralegal measures. Under the guise of 'democratic control,' she is desperately trying to turn the prosecution into a lapdog of power. 'Democratic control' has degenerated into 'Democratic Party control,'" he said.

Former professor Jin especially said, "She may want to portray herself as 'Choo-darck' with grandiose ambitions, but the public already knows she is nothing but a puppet. She is not even a former prosecutor and has been out of the legal profession for decades. How much could she possibly know about the prosecution?"

He added, "Moreover, she did not originally intend to take that position; she only ended up there by chance after Cho Kuk was ousted. So it is reasonable to assume that the scenario of prosecution control she is executing was written by someone who understands the prosecution network well. The hit list was probably prepared with the help of loyalists inside the prosecution like Choi Kang-wook and Lee Kwang-cheol. Of course, Cho Kuk is behind Choi Kang-wook," he criticized.

On the previous day (the 11th) at 2 p.m., Minister Choo held a press conference at the Ministry of Justice briefing room and stated, "We will strengthen various internal and external verifications on cases where prosecutors initiate investigations, and also consider institutional improvements to separate the subjects of investigation and prosecution judgments within the prosecution."

Regarding the plan to separate the investigation and prosecution authorities, she explained, "Because there is a risk that neutrality and objectivity may be compromised when the prosecution directly investigates and prosecutes important cases, internal control devices are necessary," and said she would consider a pilot implementation before legal amendments.

Former Dongyang University Professor Jin Joong-kwon Photo by Yonhap News

Full text of former professor Jin's Facebook post

Choo Mi-ae keeps making reckless moves. First, (1) she mobilized loyal prosecutors to desperately block the prosecution of key figures in the regime. All prosecutors in charge of investigations were demoted. But it failed, right? Then, (2) she used absurd logic and blatant lies to block the disclosure of indictments. That also failed, right? So hastily, the last card she pulled out was (3) the separation of investigative prosecutors and prosecuting prosecutors. In this case, even if the investigative prosecutor works hard on the investigation, the prosecuting prosecutor might simply refuse to prosecute. That's exactly what prosecutors like Lee Sung-yoon, whom Choo Mi-ae appointed, do during their meals.

Prosecution reform is already a lost cause. The original purpose of prosecution reform was to make the prosecution an independent body free from political influence. The essence of that was summarized in one sentence by the president at the inauguration of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl: "Strike even the living power with the sword." But what these people are actually doing is directly opposing that purpose. Choo Mi-ae is blocking the prosecution's blade from targeting the living power through extralegal measures. Under the guise of 'democratic control,' she is desperately trying to turn the prosecution into a lapdog of power. 'Democratic control' has degenerated into 'Democratic Party control.'

She must know this is a reckless move. That's why she said, "I will take political responsibility." But the responsibility she must bear is not only political. She may have to bear legal responsibility later. The reason she is making reckless moves is obviously political ambition. Since Cho Kuk was ousted as a presidential candidate, she must have coveted that position. In this situation, the more radical she is, the more she can highlight the image of 'Choo-darck' and attract Cho Kuk's supporters to herself. Of course, this is pure delusion. Her specialty is own goals. The people on that side are not unaware of this: Roh Moo-hyun impeachment, Chun Doo-hwan prevention, Druking investigation request.

She may want to portray herself as 'Choo-darck' with grandiose ambitions, but the public already knows she is nothing but a puppet. She is not even a former prosecutor and has been out of the legal profession for decades. How much could she possibly know about the prosecution? Moreover, she did not originally intend to take that position; she only ended up there by chance after Cho Kuk was ousted. So it is reasonable to assume that the scenario of prosecution control she is executing was written by someone who understands the prosecution network well. The hit list was probably prepared with the help of loyalists inside the prosecution like Choi Kang-wook and Lee Kwang-cheol. Of course, Cho Kuk is behind Choi Kang-wook.

Although Cho Kuk has left, I believe he has not truly gone. He will probably continue to communicate with Choi Kang-wook's team. After all, the prosecution reform project was not Choo Mi-ae's but Cho Kuk's work. Watching a talk show from 2011 where he appeared with President Moon Jae-in, you can see that the outline of the plan they are implementing now was already made back then. Cho Kuk already said, "Rebellious prosecutors should all resign, and their positions should be filled with law school graduate prosecutors." Quite radical, right? The idea of appointing Cho Kuk as Minister of Justice was already being discussed then. The things happening now under the name of prosecution reform have nothing to do with Choo Mi-ae.

Choo Mi-ae is a puppet, and the ventriloquist is Cho Kuk. Of course, in another context, he might also be just another puppet. He has appeared again. Outwardly, he seems to praise Choo Mi-ae, but in fact, this is probably an attempt to clarify that all this is his work. It is part of positioning himself as a martyr of prosecution reform. Anyway, the direction of 'reform' that many people supported and that they pursued was to change the prosecution that "has wielded a sharp sword against dead power but a dull sword against living power," but the result of that reform ended up with a prosecution that "wields a sharp sword against dead power but cannot even wield a dull sword against living power."

The reform was achieved, but in reality, no reform was made. On the contrary, the situation worsened. When the prosecution touches the living power, the ruling party, government, and presidential office unite, and loyal media, intellectuals, and fanatical supporters band together to show their power. If you believe that a meek prosecution toward living power will also be meek toward those opposing power, that is naive. The same goes for the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials. Even the prosecution, which has powerful authority, is shaken like this; can that small organization be free from that powerful authority? Ultimately, the feared situation has occurred. Prosecution reform has succeeded in a way that thoroughly failed. Cho Kuk celebrates that.

For prosecution reform to be recognized for its 'sincerity,' it should not have blocked investigations or prosecutions against living power. And the 'suspect's human rights' rhetoric should have come out when the sword was directed at dead power. And criticism of the prosecution's 'excessive investigation' should have started when constitutional researchers, General Park Chan-joo, coup document suspects, Choi Kyung-hwan, Kwon Seong-dong, and Kim Sung-tae were acquitted one after another. If prosecution reform had sincerity, it would not have obstructed investigations and prosecutions against living power but rather requested the prosecution to apply at least this time the strict standards, or even sharper swords than anyone else.

The separation of investigative prosecutors and prosecuting prosecutors. The original intention may have been noble, but in reality, it can be abused as the last safeguard to block prosecution against power. Considering that these people have refused summons by the prosecution, refused investigation when summoned, and refused prosecution after investigation, the concern grows even more. This is the reality of prosecution reform achieved at great social cost. The Bible says God created humans in His own image, right? Ultimately, Cho Kuk also made prosecution reform in his own image. In other words, prosecution reform was just as hypocritical. Prosecution reform is Cho Kuk.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.