Joo Ho-young "Prosecutor's Office Budget Independence Must Be Reviewed... No More People Saying 'No Problem with the Corruption Investigation Office'" (Comprehensive)

[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 Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, saying she seems to be employing a "madman strategy," and emphasized the need to consider separating the prosecution budget from the Ministry of Justice.

Regarding the controversy over former prosecutor Seok Dong-hyun, who was recommended by the opposition party as a candidate for the head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), describing the CIO as a "monster," Joo remarked, "It's stranger when people say there is no problem with the CIO." He also urged Kim Kyung-soo, governor of Gyeongnam Province, who was convicted of manipulating comments, to "resign from his gubernatorial position."

After the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th, Joo told reporters, "It seems that Minister Choo is trying everything she can to harass the prosecution."

Regarding the directive for the Ministry of Justice to directly distribute special activity funds to each district prosecutor's office, he said, "Among external agencies, only the prosecution office has not achieved budget independence. We need to consider whether to separate the prosecution office's budget from the Ministry of Justice."

On the same day, former prosecutor Seok expressed opposition to the CIO via Facebook. Joo commented, "No one thinks there is no problem with the CIO. Rather, those who say there is no problem are the strange ones. Instead of questioning those who oppose it, the bigger issue is appointing people who do not say the CIO has problems."

Regarding internal disagreements within the People’s Party about Ahn Cheol-soo’s new party, he said, "There are 103 lawmakers, so calling it a disagreement is strange," adding, "There are various opinions."

Earlier at the floor strategy meeting, Joo said, "I thought about why Minister Choo is acting this way and concluded she is employing a madman strategy to fight on her own terms," adding, "The madman strategy is inappropriate for a justice minister, even if other ministries might use it. Since it concerns the dignity of the nation, I hope she refrains from using the madman strategy."

Previously, Minister Choo raised issues about Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl’s use of special activity funds (SAF), and opposition lawmakers retaliated by calling for scrutiny of the Ministry of Justice as well. Although lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties on the Judiciary Committee reviewed the SAF usage of the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office the day before, it ended as a "meaningless inspection."

Joo also argued for the need to review the government’s SAF comprehensively through a state audit or special committee. He said, "The Ministry of Justice is only allowed to use SAF for intelligence investigations and equivalent activities, except for the Immigration Office and Foreigners Policy Office in the past," adding, "Minister Choo claims no SAF was used during her term, but it must be clarified whether there was illegal use during the tenures of former ministers Cho Kuk and Park Sang-ki."

He continued, "As Minister Choo mentioned, SAF is being used like petty cash. We need to carefully examine and reorganize the numerous SAFs within the government," and criticized, "Although the Minister of Justice is making claims about SAF, the Ministry of Justice seems to be obstructing by not providing proper data for verification."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding Governor Kim’s prison sentence, Joo said, "This is a serious incident that deals a severe blow to the legitimacy of the presidential election," adding, "President Moon should apologize to the people and clarify his position, and Governor Kim should immediately resign."

On Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon’s statement about fielding "the most moral and competent candidate" in the by-elections, Joo criticized, "Does that mean the candidates fielded so far were neither moral nor competent?" and said, "Not fielding a candidate is the right thing to do for the people and the proper stance for the Democratic Party."

The backdrop banner at the People Power Party’s floor strategy meeting that day read: "Politics is one-sided dominance, 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.