[Summary] "Cho Ungcheon Is Also Part of the Old Guard, Go to the United Future Party"?Pro-Moon Supporters Outraged Over Cho's Criticism of Minister Choo

Cho Ungcheon Criticizes Choo Mi Ae's Harsh Words and Actions
Some Democratic Party Members and Pro-Moon Supporters Say, "Just Join the United Future Party"

Cho Ungcheon, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, reporter Han Seunggon] On June 28, strong criticism emerged among pro-Moon Jaein supporters after Cho Ungcheon, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out the words and actions of Minister of Justice Choo Mi Ae. Some have even commented, "Is he the second Geum Taeseop? As expected, he is a former prosecutor," and "Cho Ungcheon is also part of the old guard."

Previously, Cho was also harshly criticized by pro-Moon supporters when former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Taeseop abstained from voting on the bill to establish the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and faced disciplinary action, with Cho expressing his opposition to the disciplinary measures.

In a Facebook post on June 28, Cho criticized, "The recent series of words and actions by Minister Choo toward Prosecutor General Yoon Seok Yeol is an unfamiliar sight that I have never experienced in nearly thirty years in the legal field. It is so bewildering that I am at a loss for words."

He went on to stress, "Even for the sake of prosecutorial reform and the launch of the CIO, Minister Choo needs to take a more humble attitude."

He continued, "Before Minister Choo took office, 66 previous Ministers of Justice refrained from exercising their authority to direct and instead recommended prosecutor appointments after listening to the Prosecutor General's opinion. Of course, during the authoritarian era, political behavior was very different from now, and even afterward, there were many cases of collusion and abuse between the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution," adding, "Previous ministers also refrained from certain words and actions out of consideration for the law and the political neutrality of the prosecution."

Minister of Justice Choo Mi Ae (left) Prosecutor General Yoon Suk Yeol (right) [Image source=Yonhap News]

Cho pointed out, "The more Minister Choo emphasizes the necessity of prosecutorial reform and the prompt launch of the CIO with harsh words, the more the debate may focus on the appropriateness of her words and actions."

He continued, "I cannot help but question whether it is appropriate at this time for Minister Choo to be in the spotlight by harshly criticizing the Prosecutor General day after day," and added, "Regardless of her original intentions or convictions, if she continues to use harsh language, it could become a burden not only for the ruling party and the government but also for the appointing authority." He then requested, "I ask that she take a moment to pause and reflect."

As Cho's criticism of Minister Choo continued, some members of the Democratic Party have fiercely criticized him, similar to the level of criticism directed at former lawmaker Geum when he abstained from the CIO vote.

One party member strongly rebuked, "What was Cho doing for nearly thirty years in the legal field while the administration, prosecution, judiciary, police, and media became so corrupt?" The member continued, "There is a welcoming atmosphere in the United Future Party. It seems right for him to move to that party," criticizing Cho further.

Other party members also continued their criticism, saying, "Stop talking about the prosecution and just go to the United Future Party," and "Cho Ungcheon is also part of the old guard."

Previously, Cho was also criticized by pro-Moon supporters when he expressed opposition to the disciplinary action against former lawmaker Geum for abstaining from the CIO bill vote.

At the time, on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyunjeong's News Show,' Cho essentially expressed his opposition to disciplinary action, saying, "Disciplining a lawmaker for making a decision based on personal conviction? I don't think I've ever seen anything like that."

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