United Future Party Calls for Special Investigation into the Choo-Yoon Incident... Democratic Party Says the Confrontation Itself Is Wrong

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 6th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 6th, the ruling and opposition parties continued their disputes over the clash between Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl regarding the prosecution's investigation into the alleged collusion between prosecutors and media. The United Future Party brought up the special prosecutor (special investigation) card, while the Democratic Party clearly stated that it was not acceptable.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 6th, "The dispute over the investigation command between Minister Choo and Prosecutor General Yoon is becoming increasingly serious and unbearable to watch," adding, "Now, the only means that everyone can accept is the special prosecutor promoted by the National Assembly." He continued, "The special prosecutor can be requested by the Minister of Justice or by the National Assembly," and said, "If Minister Choo really wants to avoid controversy over neutrality, she should first request a special prosecutor, and if that is not possible, the National Assembly will step in to promote the special prosecutor."

Floor leader Joo said, "We basically view Minister Choo's exercise of investigation command as an abuse of authority and as an act to persecute Prosecutor General Yoon," adding, "Prosecutor General Yoon is also being attacked as trying to protect his own privileges. In this case, although the investigation was entrusted to a special prosecutor, Minister Choo has already blocked the appointment of the special prosecutor itself." In response, Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "The opposition party should not only talk about unreasonable political strife such as special prosecutors or parliamentary investigations upon returning to the National Assembly, but also join the National Assembly working for the people's livelihood."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Democratic Party targeted Prosecutor General Yoon directly. Park Joo-min, Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, explained, "The right to raise objections under the Prosecutors' Office Act was introduced to achieve the independence of prosecutors from internal prosecutorial power," adding, "It does not apply to the relationship between the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution." Council member Park pointed out, "It is itself an act not in accordance with the law to assume that there is a right to raise objections and to gather all the chief prosecutors nationwide to discuss how to respond rather than immediately accepting the Minister of Justice's command," and said, "There is no legal basis for the nationwide chief prosecutors' meeting."

Kim Jong-min, a member of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the Democratic Party, criticized on YTN Radio that day regarding the issue of convening the nationwide chief prosecutors' meeting by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, saying, "(Prosecutor General Yoon) confronts and opposes all three ministers: former Minister of Justice Park Sang-ki, former Minister Cho Kuk, and Minister Choo, which ultimately goes against President Moon Jae-in's command," adding, "Regardless of his own beliefs, it is an extremely difficult situation for the people of the Republic of Korea to accept." Kim said, "There is a risk that the public might misunderstand that Prosecutor General Yoon or the prosecution is engaging in politics," and added, "Neither Prosecutor General Yoon nor some prosecutors can defeat the President and the Minister. They are doing something impossible."

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