"A World Where Pet Prosecutors Prevail" vs "Prosecutors Treated as Regime's Pets"

Kim Woong "Recent Prosecutor Regular Personnel Changes, Abuse of Power"
Ruling Party "Kim Woong's Remarks, Apologize" vs Opposition "Unreasonable Prosecutor Personnel Changes"

Kim Woong, member of the United Future Party./Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Seulgi Kim] Amid recent personnel changes in the prosecution, Kim Woong, a former prosecutor and member of the Future United Party, criticized Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's appointments by saying, "It has become a world where pet prosecutors are gaining power," sparking political conflict surrounding his remarks.

Immediately, the Democratic Party of Korea called for an apology from Kim. On the other hand, the Future United Party continued to support Kim's statements.

On the 8th, Kim posted on his Facebook, saying, "Prosecutor Moon Chan-seok, who was called the Grim Reaper of Yeouido, is gone, and it has become a world where pet prosecutors, whose only experience is being lapdogs and mood guards of the regime, are gaining power."

This appears to be a criticism of the regular personnel reshuffle in the prosecution carried out by Minister Choo on the 7th. Regarding Prosecutor General Moon Chan-seok's resignation, Kim said, "It was good working with Prosecutor General Moon. Still, there are many prosecutors who do not cling to their positions and do not yield to the tyranny of power. Wolves do not eat pet food."

The opposition seems to be backing Kim's criticism. On the 8th, Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the Future United Party, stated in a commentary, "Prosecutors loyal to the regime were rewarded, and those who did not obey were exiled," adding, "It is hard to understand Minister (Choo Mi-ae)'s mindset, who is busy celebrating despite having reduced the prosecution organization to ruins."

Also, on the 9th, Kwon Young-se, a Future United Party lawmaker, wrote on his Facebook, "When a watchdog agency abandons its monitoring function and instead shows behavior flattering the government, it is criticized as a lapdog," and added, "Nowadays, when even the media cannot be trusted, the opposition must perform the watchdog function alone, struggling against numerous guard dogs," expressing agreement with Kim's analogy of prosecutors to dogs.

Kim Nam-guk, member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yonhap News

In response, ruling party Democratic Party lawmakers criticized Kim's remarks, demanding an apology. Yang Hyang-ja, a Democratic Party lawmaker, pointed out, "It is inappropriate for a conservative opposition lawmaker, formerly a prosecutor, to make such harsh remarks about people who were colleagues until recently."

In an interview with YTN Radio's 'Starting a New Morning' on the 10th, Yang said, "I really find it hard to sympathize with Kim's remarks. When have prosecutors ever been pets?"

She added, "Rather, I even think prosecutors tried to tame every regime as pets. It seems that the prosecutor-turned-lawmaker is disparaging his own background, and the world is indeed changing," and said, "I think this is a signal that reforms on judicial power, which was unchecked power, are progressing normally."

Kim Nam-guk, a Democratic Party lawmaker, also wrote on his Facebook, "Referring to the prosecutors being promoted this time as 'pet prosecutors' is excessive and abusive language," and pointed out, "Looking at Kim Woong's remarks, it seems there really is a specific faction within the prosecution. The prosecutors promoted to chief prosecutors this time are all highly respected within the prosecution."

He added, "They have quietly and responsibly performed their duties as prosecutors while holding key positions within the prosecution," and criticized, "If the personnel appointments do not reflect Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl's intentions, then it is wrong, and does it mean the prosecution is becoming a world where 'pet prosecutors' dominate? Then only Yoon Seok-youl's close aides get promoted and told to be chief prosecutors?"

He continued, "Even if it is not a specific faction within the prosecution, I believe a culture where prosecutors who have quietly worked on the front lines get promoted regardless of connections or backing should be established," and said, "Also, through continued personnel changes, I hope the culture where a completely different privileged class and elite prosecutors exist within the prosecution disappears."

He further urged, "For the sake of fellow prosecutors who worked with the people, I ask for an apology. Even when criticizing, one must use dignified language and not cross the line. If there is something to criticize, please direct it at Minister Choo Mi-ae, the Blue House, or the ruling party instead."

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