"Legitimate Exercise of Rights" vs "Unfounded Targeted Investigation": Ruling and Opposition Clash Over Choo's Activation of Investigation Command Authority

Minister Chu: "A More Fair Investigation Needed Than Ever"
"Independent Investigation Required for Cases Involving Prosecutor Yoon's Family and Associates"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae has issued an investigative directive excluding Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol from investigations in five cases, including the Lime Fund Asset Management lobbying allegations, sparking intense political disputes between the ruling and opposition parties. The Democratic Party of Korea defended the move as a "legitimate exercise of rights for fair investigation," while opposition parties criticized it as a targeted probe against the prosecution.

Choi In-ho, senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated in an oral comment on the 19th that Minister Choo's exercise of investigative directive authority is a "legitimate legal exercise by the Minister of Justice for a fair and thorough investigation."

Yoon Ho-jung, chairman of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the same party, explained during a parliamentary audit after hearing the news, "The core point is that the Prosecutor General should recuse himself from the Lime case and cases related to his mother-in-law and spouse according to the Prosecutors' Code of Ethics. Since this has not been properly done, the investigative directive from Minister Choo aims to ensure a thorough investigation."

On the other hand, the People Power Party strongly criticized the move, saying it "will remain an indelible stain in the history of the rule of law in the Republic of Korea."

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is arriving at the Ministry of Justice in the Government Complex Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of the 19th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Bae Jun-young, spokesperson for the People Power Party, claimed in an oral statement, "The Minister's investigative directive, which is the last bastion for uncovering the truth, is instead being abused to cover up the truth."

Spokesperson Bae pointed out, "While ignoring the Optimus case, which created numerous victims, the investigative directive was suddenly issued regarding Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's family cases. It is no different from the Minister of Justice leading a targeted investigation against the head of the prosecution."

He added, "The public's wish to reveal every wrongdoer regardless of rank through a special prosecutor has been ruthlessly trampled. The People Power Party will persistently push for a special prosecutor to uncover the substantive truth of the Lime and Optimus gates."

Meanwhile, on the same day, Minister Choo issued an investigative directive excluding Prosecutor General Yoon from directing investigations in five cases, including the Lime Asset Management lobbying allegations and cases related to the Prosecutor General's family.

In the investigative directive sent to Prosecutor General Yoon, Minister Choo stated, "Recently raised allegations in the Lime Asset Management lobbying case and cases involving the Prosecutor General himself, his family, and close associates have surfaced. Since the Prosecutor General himself cannot be completely excluded from relevance in the Lime lobbying allegations, a fair and independent investigation is more necessary than ever," explaining the background of the directive.

She also said, "Cases involving the Prosecutor General, his family, and close associates should be recused according to the 'Prosecutors' Code of Ethics' and the 'Code of Conduct for Prosecutors,' so it is appropriate to entrust the investigative team with conducting a thoroughly independent investigation. For these reasons, pursuant to Article 8 of the Prosecutors' Office Act, I hereby issue the following directive."

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