Choo Mi-ae and Yoon Seok-yeol Both Shouted 'People'... Same Words, Different Intentions

Choo: "Don't Be Organizational Egoists"... Yoon: "The Prosecution Belongs to the People"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol met with the prosecutors who were promoted or transferred in the senior prosecutor personnel reshuffle on the 10th. /

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Justice Minister Chu Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl presented the prosecution's direction as being for the 'people.' Unlike their previously sharp exchanges in and outside the prosecution, they spoke with one voice for the first time in a while. However, looking at the situation, the true intentions of the two leaders are easily discernible. Minister Chu made remarks aimed at 'prosecution control and reform,' while Prosecutor General Yoon, isolated and cornered, only made general statements, unlike his usual approach.

On the 10th, Minister Chu and Prosecutor General Yoon each met with the prosecutors who were promoted and transferred in the recent senior prosecution personnel reshuffle, with a 1 hour and 30 minutes gap between their meetings. This was just over a week after they had exchanged direct blows at the new prosecutors' commissioning and reporting ceremony earlier this month. In particular, this gathering was the first occasion after last week's senior personnel reshuffle, drawing significant attention inside and outside the prosecution.

Minister Chu urged the 25 promoted and transferred prosecutors, saying, "The prosecution, which enforces the law, must refrain from words and actions that destroy fairness and neutrality, and must follow only truth and justice to realize criminal justice."

In the legal community, this was interpreted as a remark aimed at Prosecutor General Yoon, who on the 3rd said, "We must reject dictatorship and totalitarianism disguised as democracy." After that statement, Yoon faced calls for resignation from the ruling party, accusing him of making political remarks.

Minister Chu also said, "Conversely, even when becoming the subject of law enforcement, one must abandon any sense of privilege and strictly discipline oneself with a sincere attitude to regain the lost trust." This was seen as targeting Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon, who is under investigation by the prosecution over allegations of collusion between prosecutors and media.

Regarding the controversial personnel reshuffle, she repeatedly emphasized, "We focused on fairness and substance." She explained, "We put more thought than ever into selecting those with the ability and qualities to successfully lead the prosecution reform that the people desire. Also, by favoring prosecutors from the criminal trial division who had been marginalized in promotions, we aimed for balanced personnel appointments that do not concentrate on specific departments and eliminate discrimination."

On the other hand, Prosecutor General Yoon, unlike his usual direct remarks, was reserved. He delivered a brief message, saying, "As the top leader of the prosecution, please demonstrate leadership by taking the lead at the front line," and "Please strive for human rights-centered and trial-centered investigative structural reform."

However, the legal community is paying attention to the fact that most of the attendees at this meeting were 'pro-government prosecutors' and 'anti-Yoon Seok-youl line' prosecutors promoted and transferred by Minister Chu. This is why Prosecutor General Yoon returned to his seat after only making general remarks. In fact, Yoon was also extremely reserved at the transfer ceremony held after the senior personnel reshuffle in January. It was also the day when all of Yoon's closest aides, including one prosecutor general, were dispersed in the first personnel reshuffle after Minister Chu's appointment. At that transfer ceremony, Yoon only said, "There is no place where a prosecutor's assignment is unimportant," and "Please ensure that ongoing important investigations and trials proceed without disruption."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice carried out promotions and transfers of prosecutors at the prosecutor general level on the 7th. While the senior staff of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office were largely replaced again after seven months, executives considered part of the so-called 'Chu Mi-ae line' were promoted or appointed to key positions, sparking controversy over 'unfair personnel appointments.' Gwangju District Prosecutor Moon Chan-seok resigned immediately after the personnel announcement.

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