Yoon Seok-yeol's 'Dictatorship' Remark... "Chilling Self-Portrait" vs "Welcome Back, Swordsman"

Yoon Seok-yeol "We Must Reject Dictatorship Disguised as Democracy"
Democratic Party Distances Itself from Yoon's Remarks... "Mentioned Only General Principles"
United Party "Prosecutor General Yoon's Will to Create 'People's Prosecution,' Not a Regime's Lapdog"

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is speaking at the new prosecutors' registration ceremony held at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 3rd.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Following the exercise of investigative command authority by Justice Minister Chu Mi-ae in the 'prosecutor-media collusion' case, Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who had been on the defensive, broke his silence after about a month, stating, "We must reject dictatorship and totalitarianism disguised as democracy." Amid this, political interpretations of Yoon's remarks are divided.

Ruling party figures cautioned against overinterpretation, saying Yoon's remarks were fundamental in nature, while opposition parties expressed active support for Yoon, issuing statements such as "Welcome back to the swordsman Yoon Seok-yeol."

On the previous day (the 3rd), at the inauguration ceremony for new prosecutors, Yoon said, "The core value of our constitution, liberal democracy, does not ignore equality and emphasize only freedom. It refers to true democracy that rejects dictatorship and totalitarianism disguised as democracy," adding, "Liberal democracy is realized through the rule of law."

Yoon further emphasized, "In particular, we must keep in mind that all citizens are potential stakeholders and victims of corruption and power-related crimes, and under no circumstances should we turn a blind eye but rather confront them boldly, exercising the law enforcement authority entrusted by the people strictly." This message came about a month after Yoon was excluded from the investigation into the 'prosecutor-media collusion' allegations following Minister Chu's exercise of command authority.

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (center), is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 3rd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Political reactions to Yoon's remarks were mixed. Hong Jeong-min, the floor spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, appeared on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' on the 4th and said, "Rather than seeing it as expressing feelings about recent situations by emphasizing certain parts, it can be sufficiently viewed as a fundamental mention of the attitude that prosecutors, as legal professionals, should naturally maintain."

He added, "Since the prosecution currently holds overwhelming power by monopolizing indictment and investigation rights, it seems to imply that a more cautious approach is necessary," emphasizing, "In fact, with the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and adjustments to prosecution and police investigation rights, reforms of power institutions are progressing well, but since the prosecution remains powerful, it must take human rights seriously and accept democracy solemnly."

Democratic Party lawmaker Yoo Ki-hong also criticized Yoon on his Facebook that day with a post titled "'Dictatorship and Totalitarianism'?Yoon's chilling self-portrait."

Referring to Yoon's remarks, Yoo said, "Though the words are correct, I wonder if these are words that should be said to Yoon himself."

He continued, "Before the full-scale investigation even began, Yoon reached a conclusion and demanded the resignation of Minister Cho Kuk," pointing out, "Dictatorship and totalitarianism are Yoon's self-portrait as someone who abused prosecutorial power to intervene in politics and tried to lead collective insubordination within the prosecution."

Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Dong-geun also claimed on his Facebook that day, "Yoon has gone beyond opposing prosecution reform to effectively declaring an anti-government struggle."

Shin said, "Yoon said, 'The law must be applied equally to everyone and law enforcement must be just.' To know whether someone's cry for legal equality and justice is genuine, one must see if the law is applied consistently to themselves, their family, and their close acquaintances. Can Yoon confidently say that he has done so?" he raised his voice.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, is attending the Emergency Measures Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 3rd and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the other hand, the United Future Party supports Yoon's remarks. Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the United Future Party, said in a statement on the 3rd, "We welcome the return of swordsman Yoon Seok-yeol, who is loyal to no person," adding, "The natural principles and common sense of democracy sounded refreshing, and we will also help dispel the darkness of the era."

She continued, "At today's inauguration ceremony for new prosecutors, Yoon sharply criticized the attitude of the prosecution," interpreting it as "a will to create a prosecution for the people, not a regime's lapdog."

Kim urged, "For Yoon's will to be sincere, investigations that had been silenced regarding living powers such as Cho Kuk, Song Cheol-ho, Yoon Mi-hyang, Lime, and Optimus must be revived and reawakened."

United Future Party lawmaker Jo Soo-jin also shared an article containing Yoon's remarks on Facebook on the 4th, saying, "Is dictatorship only military dictatorship? Civilian dictatorship is also dictatorship," adding, "The collective bullying to oust the disobedient Prosecutor General and the Board of Audit and Inspection chief is dictatorship."

She continued, "Not being able to call dictatorship dictatorship, trying to suppress criticism by force, this is dictatorship," and said, "'Moonjuism' must be clearly distinguished from 'democracy.'"

Meanwhile, a preference poll for the next presidential candidate conducted by Realmeter from the 27th to the 31st of last month targeting 2,560 adults nationwide (confidence level 95%, margin of error ±1.9 percentage points) showed Yoon's preference rising by 3.7 percentage points from the previous month to 13.8%. Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Nak-yeon recorded 25.6%, and Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung 19.6%. Thus, Yoon maintained his position as the top candidate among opposition figures. Detailed information can be found on the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.

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