Lee Hae-chan, 'Yoon Seok-yeol Silence Order'... Jin Joong-kwon Criticizes "Is This a Totalitarian Party?"

Lee Hae-chan Imposes Another Gag Order... "Do Not Mention Yoon Seok-yeol's Name"
Jin Joong-kwon: "Lee Hae-chan, Lift the Gag Order"
Kim Jong-in: "President Moon, Show a Clear Stance"

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol salutes the national flag while attending the 6th Fair Society Anti-Corruption Policy Council held at the Blue House on the afternoon of the 22nd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The ruling and opposition parties continue to clash over Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's position. While the ruling party criticizes Prosecutor General Yoon's instructions related to the former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook case and continues to pressure him for 'voluntary resignation,' the opposition criticizes the ruling party's move as 'Yoon Seok-yeol ousting.'

In response to the ruling party figures' repeated pressure for Yoon's resignation, Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, appears to be distancing himself from the 'Yoon Seok-yeol resignation theory' that has ignited within the party by issuing a 'gag order.'

On the 22nd, Democratic Party lawmaker Park Ju-min pointed out at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that "It may seem like he accepted the Ministry of Justice Minister's instructions at first glance, but it is also true that the role of the head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department appears to be diminished."

Earlier, on the 21st, Prosecutor General Yoon instructed the head of the Human Rights Department of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to oversee and investigate the perjury coaching suspicion petition case related to former Prime Minister Han's violation of the Political Funds Act. This was a separate instruction issued three days after Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae assigned the case to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department.

The Democratic Party views this as Yoon rejecting Minister Choo's instructions to protect his own people. Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min wrote on his Facebook that "The Human Rights Department of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office does not have investigative authority, so assigning it to oversee the investigation is an overreach violating the superior Ministry of Justice Minister's instructions," and pointed out, "The reason Prosecutor General Yoon is taking such an unreasonable step is an expression of his will to somehow let it slide."

He also called Yoon "a symbolic figure showing the necessity of prosecutorial reform" and "the worst Prosecutor General in the history of the prosecution" on the YouTube channel 'Sisa Baljeonso.'

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is listening to a speech at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 22nd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, the Democratic Party leadership has issued a gag order on repeated mentions related to Prosecutor General Yoon. This seems to be based on the judgment that pressuring Yoon to resign could give the opposition an opportunity to attack and instead provoke a backlash in public opinion.

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party, reportedly issued a gag order at a closed Supreme Council meeting on the day, saying, "No matter who asks, do not talk about Prosecutor General Yoon. It is better not to mention his name."

This is not the first time Lee has issued a 'gag order' on a specific issue. He also issued gag orders on related matters when controversies arose over former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop's disciplinary action and allegations of donation misuse by lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang.

Regarding this, former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized Lee's 'Yoon Seok-yeol gag order,' sarcastically saying, "Guys, an 'order' has been given to shut your mouths."

He said, "I disagree with lawmaker Kim Yong-min's view, but if anyone suppresses the freedom to express that opinion, I will fight for them," and urged, "Leader Lee Hae-chan should lift the gag order."

Then, former professor Jin questioned, "Do the mouths of lawmakers open and close at the word of the party's top-ranking official? Is this a totalitarian party?"

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, is speaking at the "70th Anniversary of the June 25 War Commemorative Forum, the June 25 War and the Korea-US Alliance," hosted by Assemblywoman Jeong Gyeong-hee's office at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 22nd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, opposition figures have united in 'defending Yoon Seok-yeol.'

Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, said at the emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 22nd, "(The ruling party) openly says things like 'If it were me, I would resign' toward Prosecutor General Yoon and talks as if the April 15 general election decides Yoon's position, which is a great contradiction," and emphasized, "President Moon should clearly state whether he reaffirms Yoon or take personnel measures."

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People's Party, also criticized at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "The ruling party and Minister Choo's goal is not to save Han Myeong-sook but to oust Yoon Seok-yeol," and said, "Before bringing in the pet dog called the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), they are trying the obvious step of putting a muzzle on the fierce dog called 'Yoon Seok-yeol prosecution.'"

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