Joo Ho-young: "Choo Mi-ae Seems to Employ a 'Madman' Strategy... Governor Kim Kyung-soo Should Resign"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, saying she seems to be employing a "madman strategy," and urged Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam Province who was convicted for manipulating comments, to "resign from his gubernatorial position."

At the People Power Party floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th, Floor Leader Joo said, "I thought about why Minister Choo is acting this way, and I concluded that she is employing a madman strategy to fight on her own terms."

Earlier, Minister Choo raised issues regarding Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl’s use of special activity funds (special funds), and in response, opposition party lawmakers demanded an investigation into the Ministry of Justice as well. The day before, lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties on the Judiciary Committee examined the use of special funds by the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, but the investigation ended up being a "toothless inspection." Floor Leader Joo said, "While other ministries might be different, it is inappropriate for the Minister of Justice to employ a madman strategy," adding, "Because this concerns the dignity of the nation, I hope the madman strategy is not used."

He also argued that there is a need to review the government’s special activity funds comprehensively through a state audit or a special committee. He pointed out, "The Ministry of Justice is only allowed to use special funds for intelligence investigations and related activities, and not for anything else except the Immigration Office and the Foreigners Policy Office in the past," and added, "Minister Choo claims that no special funds were used during her term, but it is necessary to clarify whether there were any illegal uses during the tenures of former ministers Cho Kuk and Park Sang-ki."

He continued, "As Minister Choo mentioned, special funds are being used like petty cash, so it is necessary to closely examine and reorganize the numerous special funds within the government," and criticized, "Even though the Minister of Justice is making claims about special funds, the Ministry of Justice seems to be obstructing the verification process by not providing proper data."

Regarding Governor Kim’s prison sentence, he said, "It is a serious incident that deals a severe blow to the legitimacy of the presidential election," and added, "President Moon should apologize to the public and clarify his position, and Governor Kim should immediately resign from his position."

Regarding Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stating that they will field "the most moral and competent candidate" in the by-election, he remarked, "Does that mean the candidates fielded so far were neither moral nor competent?" and added, "Not fielding a candidate would be the right thing to do for the people and the proper stance for the Democratic Party."

At the People Power Party floor strategy meeting that day, the backdrop banner displayed the phrase: "Politics is a one-sided run, the economy is on the brink of death, security is like a candle in the wind, justice is double standards, Mr. President, and yet you still praise yourself."

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