Geum Tae-seop: "Yeo Iseong-yoon for the Democrats, Han Dong-hoon for the Republicans... This is how prosecutorial reform is passing"

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Amid ongoing controversies surrounding prosecutorial reform, former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop warned on the 30th that the prosecution is being used in political battles, cautioning that "a second Han Dong-hoon, a second Lee Seong-yoon will emerge."

On the 30th, Geum shared a column he wrote for the media on his Facebook, stating, "This is a manuscript I submitted two days ago, but thinking about the events that have occurred since then makes me feel even more disheartened."

In the column, Geum pointed out, "Neither progressives nor conservatives are considering reducing the prosecution's authority; instead, they only argue over which prosecutor is a 'righteous prosecutor.'" He added, "The political sphere is divided into two camps: the ruling party supports Prosecutor Lee Seong-yoon (Chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office), while the opposition backs Yoon Seok-yeol (Prosecutor General) and Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon."

He continued, "Politicians are merely cheerleaders, but the real power lies with the prosecutors," adding, "As a result, the current Prosecutor General rises in the ranks of presidential candidates, creating a farce."

Geum also mentioned that during Yoon Seok-yeol’s confirmation hearing, he raised suspicions that Yoon lied to protect his close aide Prosecutor Yoon Dae-jin, which drew criticism from other Democratic Party lawmakers who asked, "Why attack a man who took on the role of loyal defender?"

He said, "Now, the same politicians are fiercely criticizing Prosecutor General Yoon because he is protecting his close aide Han Dong-hoon," questioning, "Is this truly fair? Or are prosecutors just insisting that their side must be supported?"

Geum stated, "Both the task of clearing out deep-rooted evils and the removal of prosecutors involved in that effort are entrusted to the prosecution. Han Dong-hoon, who once received acclaim from the ruling party’s support base for his investigations into deep-rooted evils early in the administration, has now become the subject of investigations himself," adding, "The position of 'righteous prosecutor' he once held has now been taken over by Lee Seong-yoon, the Chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, who is investigating Han. He is the second Han Dong-hoon."

He went on, "If he does not comply and becomes a 'deep-rooted evil prosecutor,' then a second Lee Seong-yoon will emerge again," warning, "Through this process, even if prosecutors change, the prosecution organization remains intact."

Geum lamented, "Meanwhile, a former Minister of Justice, who bears great responsibility for all these events, has declared that he will file a criminal complaint against 'false and exaggerated reports' about himself. This again entrusts prosecutors with the role of judge. This is how the opportunity for prosecutorial reform slips away."

He added, "How could we rely on the prosecution again and create this mess at a golden opportunity to reduce the prosecution’s power and change the system to resolve social conflicts through dialogue and debate? It is truly regrettable."

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