Is There a Real Possibility of Impeachment Motion Against Chu Mi-ae, the "Person Who Undermined Investigative Independence"?

United Future Party and People's Party Jointly Submit Impeachment Proposal Against Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae
Joo Ho-young: "Submitting Impeachment Motion Against Choo Mi-ae... Expecting Democratic Party's Support"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is responding to questions from lawmakers at the plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the afternoon of the 1st.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] As the United Future Party and the People's Party submitted an impeachment motion against Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae to the National Assembly on the 20th, attention is focused on whether it can pass through the National Assembly. To conclude, the likelihood of the impeachment motion against Minister Choo passing in the plenary session is slim, as it requires the approval of the majority of the total members.

The proposal of the impeachment motion against Minister Choo was possible through the cooperation of the United Future Party (103 seats) and the People's Party (3 seats). However, for the impeachment motion to pass, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (176 seats), which holds the majority in the National Assembly, must express support. For this reason, the political circles both inside and outside view it as practically impossible.

Earlier, Kim Seong-won, the United Future Party's senior deputy floor leader, and Kwon Eun-hee, the People's Party floor leader, submitted the 'Impeachment Motion against the Minister of Justice (Choo Mi-ae)' to the National Assembly on the same day.

Joo Ho-young, the United Future Party floor leader, stated the reason for submitting the impeachment motion, saying, "Minister Choo has violated the law by abusing various powers under the Prosecutors' Office Act and has caused more illegal acts, loss of dignity, and damage to investigative independence than any previous Minister of Justice."

The impeachment motion includes the names of all members of the United Future Party and the People's Party, as well as independent lawmakers Kwon Seong-dong, Kim Tae-ho, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Hong Joon-pyo, who are former members of the United Future Party, totaling 110 people.

The impeachment motion will be reported in the plenary session today (21st) and put to a vote in the plenary session on the 24th. Floor leader Joo said, "We expect many votes in favor from the Democratic Party of Korea as well."

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae (left) Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl (right) [Image source=Yonhap News]

Previously, the United Future Party had also proposed an impeachment motion against Minister Choo in the 20th National Assembly in January during the time of the Liberty Korea Party. It was the first impeachment motion against a Minister of Justice in constitutional history. However, the plenary session was not held within 72 hours, and the motion was automatically discarded due to expiration.

In this context, submitting the impeachment motion against Minister Choo again is seen by some as a kind of political statement rejecting the current Moon Jae-in administration's Minister of Justice.

On the 2nd, the United Future Party also urged President Moon Jae-in to dismiss Minister Choo. At that time, Floor Leader Joo held a press conference at the National Assembly communication office, pointing out, "Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae has forgotten her duty as the highest authority of the Ministry of Justice."

He added, "She is putting all her efforts into removing Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl because he investigated the corruption of former Minister Cho Kuk's family, the cover-up of the inspection, and the Blue House's interference in the Ulsan mayoral election."

He further criticized, "In fact, as soon as Minister Choo took office in January this year, she carried out retaliatory personnel moves that obstructed investigations into government and ruling party-related figures without even listening to the Prosecutor General's opinion. Despite our party proposing an impeachment motion against Minister Choo in January this year, she has repeated such illegal acts without any reflection."

Joo Ho-young, Floor Leader of the United Future Party
Photo by Yonhap News

He continued, "Minister Choo has continuously engaged in low and irrational remarks, losing the dignity expected of a member of the State Council and Minister of Justice of the Republic of Korea," and criticized, "Recently, in a gathering with many lawmakers, journalists, and audience members, she even slammed the desk and severely criticized the Prosecutor General, saying, 'If you listen to the minister, things would have passed smoothly, but you complicated matters by acting like a commander,' significantly lowering the dignity as a national public official of the Republic of Korea."

He added, "The president's silence is tantamount to protecting Minister Choo," and urged, "President Moon Jae-in should immediately dismiss Minister Choo, who has engaged in anti-rule-of-law behavior." He also warned, "If the president does not take action, Minister Choo will be impeached by the National Assembly."

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