Opposition Demands Special Prosecutor, Ruling Party Cautious: "Yoon Seok-yeol Is a Prosecutor Who Wields Power's Sword"

Some Yeo Party Members Offer 'Reversal Evaluation' of Yoon Seok-yeol
Yang Hyang-ja: "Requesting a Special Prosecutor Is Mocking the Prosecution's Investigation Ability"
Jin Joong-kwon Criticizes, "Are the Investigating Prosecutors Not from the Chu Mi-ae Faction?"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae attended the National Assembly plenary session held on the afternoon of the 8th and sat in the Cabinet members' seats. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As voices from the opposition calling for a special prosecutor investigation into allegations of preferential treatment during the military service of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's son grow louder, the ruling party has taken a cautious stance while emphasizing that the related investigation should be conducted by the prosecution. Given this situation, there has even been a 'reversal' in the evaluation of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who had previously faced calls for resignation from the ruling party.

On the 8th, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, mentioned the appointment of a special prosecutor or special investigator, or even resignation, regarding the allegations against Minister Choo's son during his party's representative speech at the National Assembly. On that day, Joo said, "Minister Choo's behavior is outrageous," and questioned, "The case involving her son, Mr. Seo, is a simple matter according to Minister Choo, so why has the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office failed to reach a conclusion after eight months?"

He added, "Is it reasonable that the person involved in the case is at the top of the personnel and investigation command line?" and questioned, "To prove Minister Choo's own words that she is 'writing fiction,' she should voluntarily request an investigation by a special prosecutor or special investigator. If she cannot do that, wouldn't resignation be appropriate?"

In response to the opposition's demand for a special prosecutor, the Democratic Party of Korea expressed a cautious stance, saying that the results of the prosecution's investigation should be observed first. Some even showed appreciation for Prosecutor General Yoon's investigative abilities.

Yang Hyang-ja, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, said on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strong Current Affairs' on the same day, "The opposition's request for a special prosecutor or special investigator is mocking the current investigative capabilities of the prosecution," emphasizing, "Prosecutor General Yoon is a chief prosecutor who wields the sword against the living power, so he does not conduct investigations carelessly."

She added, "It is also inappropriate for the political circles to create political strife during this golden time when efforts should be focused on overcoming the national crisis, showing such a scene to the public."

Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Jae-jung also emphasized the importance of the prosecution's role in an interview with BBS Radio on the same day, saying, "The results of the prosecution's investigation have not yet been released. It is important for the prosecution to promptly verify the facts to prevent the media reports from continuously inflating the opposition's allegations," and added, "It should be revealed through a swift investigation."

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is speaking at the new prosecutor registration ceremony held at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 3rd of last month. / Photo by Yonhap News

Some ruling party lawmakers' remarks like these have been pointed out as a stark contrast to the past criticism of Prosecutor General Yoon by the Democratic Party.

In particular, after Prosecutor General Yoon stated on the 3rd of last month at the new prosecutor reporting ceremony held at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office that "True democracy is rejecting dictatorship and totalitarianism disguised as democracy," strong criticism erupted from some within the ruling party, accusing him of revealing political bias.

At that time, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-guk said in a radio interview, "It was practically a declaration of presidential candidacy," and added, "I think he is considering various options, including voluntary resignation, to run for president."

Lee Won-wook, who ran as a candidate for the Democratic Party Supreme Council, appeared on a radio interview and criticized, "(Prosecutor General Yoon's remarks) damaged political neutrality," adding, "Such remarks should be made after taking off the uniform. He should either step down voluntarily or be impeached."

Some have also criticized the ruling party's 'reversal evaluation' of Prosecutor General Yoon as lacking sincerity.

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon wrote on his Facebook on the 8th, "Weren't the prosecutors in charge of the investigation anyway people from the Choo Mi-ae faction? I understand that they omitted crucial testimony from the records and were even promoted for that achievement."

He added, "Stop the nonsense, and if they call Prosecutor General Han Dong-hoon now and let him take over the investigation and obtain a dismissal without charges, I will gladly believe it."

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