[2020 National Audit] Choo Mi-ae: "If Yoon is sure his investigation command is illegal, he should step down"

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae criticized Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who said that the exercise of investigative command authority was "illegal and improper," stating, "It is contradictory and delusional to say that while holding that position," and urged, "If you want to say such things, you should step down."

Minister Choo made these remarks on the 26th during the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Justice and others at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, after receiving time to respond following a question from Assemblyman So Byung-chul of the Democratic Party of Korea.

In particular, Minister Choo said, "It is a discrepancy between words and actions to accept the investigative command within 30 minutes and then deny it in front of the public," adding, "To say that while holding the position of the head of the prosecution is a great contradiction, delusion, and improper conduct." She continued, "I think you should step down and say that you will protect the prosecution organization."

Meanwhile, Prosecutor General Yoon previously mentioned at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office audit, "Currently, investigations into the Lime case are underway at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, so the order for inspection could be seen as interfering with investigation or prosecution." Yoon, who said he learned about it through the Ministry of Justice's notification, explained, "According to the Ministry of Justice's organizational decree, which is a presidential decree, inspections of frontline prosecutors' offices cannot be conducted for the purpose of interfering with any investigation or prosecution," adding, "Usually, inspections are conducted after investigations are completed and problems arise." When asked whether the Prosecutor General himself was subject to inspection, he replied, "I don't know."

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