The Democratic Party's Continuous Criticism of Yoon Following Declaration of Hostilities

Lee Nak-yeon Representative "Suspicious Intent in Nuclear Plant Investigation"
Kim Tae-nyeon Floor Leader "Repeating Attempts to Shake the Regime"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] As the prosecution conducts a search and seizure at the Board of Audit and Inspection, the Democratic Party of Korea continues to launch concentrated attacks on Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol. Following party leader Lee Nak-yeon's virtual declaration of war on the 6th, stating, "I hope the prosecution immediately stops its dangerous and reckless rampage," the offensive continued on the 9th. However, the party is maintaining a cautious stance by moderating the intensity of calls for Yoon's dismissal.

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attends the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th, listening to the remarks of the Supreme Council members with a cautious expression. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

On the morning of the same day, Lee Nak-yeon said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, "Many citizens doubt the prosecution's investigation into the Wolseong Unit 1 nuclear power plant. It is a great misfortune that the prosecution itself is under suspicion." He added, "No matter what difficulties arise, we will not stop prosecutorial reform." This indicated his determination not to ease the offensive against the prosecution as part of the continuation of prosecutorial reform.

Floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon also criticized, "The prosecution is repeating political investigations aimed at shaking the government, which frustrated prosecutorial reforms during the administrations of former Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun," and said, "Political intervention by the prosecution is an outdated practice that goes against democracy." He emphasized, "To prevent political intervention, abuse of prosecutorial power, and covering up for insiders, the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Public Officials Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, PCO) must be launched without fail."

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th and delivering a speech. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Democratic Party Supreme Council members also continued their denunciation of the 'political prosecution.' Supreme Council member Kim Jong-min said, "In democratic governments, when the government does not control the prosecution, the prosecution itself is stepping into politics as a power witness," and warned, "Judicialization of politics will ultimately destroy democracy." Supreme Council member Noh Woong-rae cited the prosecution's decision to clear former President Lee Myung-bak of BBK charges, saying, "Among the prosecutors who decisively gave a clean bill of health to former President Lee was Prosecutor General Yoon," and raised his voice, "Currently, Yoon is not a public official but acting as the representative of 'Prosecution Power,' a political figure. Political prosecution that investigates and judges at will must be eradicated." Supreme Council member Yang Hyang-ja pointedly asked on Facebook that morning, "From now on, do major shareholders' 300 million won, the three fair economy laws, and even the Korean New Deal require the prosecution's permission?"

The Democratic Party's continuous criticism is closely related to internal public opinion. Within the party, there is a prevailing view that the prosecution's targeting of nuclear power plants, a national agenda, has "crossed the line." A Democratic Party official stated, "The party's internal atmosphere is also condemning the prosecution's excessive investigation. It is not much different from the recent remarks of Leader Lee and Floor Leader Kim."

However, the so-called 'call for Prosecutor General Yoon's dismissal' mentioned in some quarters is being watched cautiously. Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Byung-won said in an interview with CBS Radio's Kim Hyun-jung's News Show on the morning of the same day, "If dismissal is to be considered, clear illegal acts by the Prosecutor General must be revealed. Everyone knows he is engaging in political activities, but it is not against the law," adding, "If he has stepped so far into politics, he himself should decide whether to step down; no one else can remove him."

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