"Dead Ministry of Justice," "Get a Grip Prosecution" Conflict Between Chu and Yoon, Supporters' Heated Exchange Outside

Supporters of Chu and Yoon Compete with Floral Wreaths Cheering Ministry of Justice and Prosecution
Some Send Condolence Wreaths with Critical Messages
Political Circles and Citizens Show Mixed Reactions to Chu-Yoon Conflict

On the 20th, wreaths and condolence wreaths were placed in front of the main gate of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, directed at Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] As the conflict between Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl continues day by day, the so-called off-site verbal battles between their supporters are intensifying. Both the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution offices have received wreaths supporting Minister Choo and Prosecutor General Yoon, as well as condolence wreaths expressing criticism. The political circles have shown mixed reactions to these wreaths. Citizens are also engaged in fierce debates.

Earlier, some conservative groups sent wreaths of support addressed to Prosecutor General Yoon, creating a so-called 'wreath road' in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. Subsequently, on the 18th, Minister Choo's side also revealed photos on SNS of a procession of flower baskets received from supporters inside the Government Complex Gwacheon.

On Minister Choo's SNS, a post titled "Do you know the flower path that the Ministry of Justice absolutely does not lose?" was uploaded along with photos of flower baskets delivered to the Ministry of Justice building.

Also, on the 20th, Minister Choo shared on her Facebook a bouquet sent by the late Prosecutor Kim Hong-young's mother, stating, "On this drizzly autumn day, looking at the flowers from the mother, I will compose myself and reflect on my duties as Minister of Justice."

Minister Choo continued, "Carrying the mission of prosecutorial reform, which is the national aspiration, I took office as Minister of Justice earlier this year, but it feels as if several years have passed; both my body and mind are very exhausted," expressing fatigue.

She added, "Every day, I have felt unbearable pain and a stinging sensation as if pricked by thorns, seeing conservative media focusing on conflicts with the Prosecutor General and recently concentrating public opinion on the Minister's position, while ignoring the essence of the issues," and said, "I could not ignore the desperate national desire to accomplish prosecutorial reform, a task that no one has achieved and has always been frustrated since liberation, so I accepted it as my mission."

Within the ruling party, there have been evaluations that "Minister Choo Mi-ae is being attacked because she is the Minister of Justice during the prosecutorial reform phase."

Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Chung-rae stated on the 16th on his Facebook, "Prosecutorial reform, which is heading toward the final stage, and judicial democratization in a broader sense, stand at a critical crossroads where it is uncertain whether they will be realized." He added, "New things come with unfamiliarity, and new laws and systems face resistance. Minister Choo Mi-ae is the person facing the strong winds of that resistance with her whole body," praising her.

On the morning of the 23rd, a condolence wreath criticizing Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae was placed in front of the Gyeonggi Government Gwacheon Complex. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In this situation, mixed reactions are emerging among citizens. Just as Minister Choo and Prosecutor General Yoon continue their daily conflicts, supporters and opposing citizens are engaged in intense debates.

Kim, a company employee in his 30s who expressed support for Prosecutor General Yoon, said, "Yoon has never said he opposes prosecutorial reform," and pointed out, "He is simply doing exactly what President Moon Jae-in said, 'Investigate the living power,' but there is too much criticism about this." He added, "I don't understand what the problem is with an investigative agency conducting investigations."

On the other hand, Lee, another office worker in his 30s who defended Minister Choo, emphasized, "Prosecutorial reform was not proposed to be done overnight; it has been discussed in the political circles for a long time," and said, "I think it is a process of correcting wrong practices." He criticized, "The Prosecutor General should be under the supervision and command of the Minister, so the fact that conflicts arise itself is a problem."

Meanwhile, on the same day (the 20th), while Minister Choo was expressing her feelings about prosecutorial reform, condolence wreaths with phrases such as "Get a grip! Yoon OO" and "Rest in peace, prosecution" were placed in front of the main gate of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. It is interpreted that these were sent by those supporting Minister Choo and criticizing Prosecutor General Yoon.

Criticism also came from the opposition parties regarding this. Professor Kim Geun-sik of Gyeongnam National University, who serves as the head of the Songpa District Party Committee of the People Power Party, said on the 19th about the photos of flower baskets received by Minister Choo's side from supporters, "Bouquets inevitably wither, and ministerial power will end along with the fading of the flowers."

He also said, "'Hwamushibilhong, gwonbulsipnyeon' (Flowers do not bloom for ten days, power does not last ten years) comes to mind," and added, "The bouquets in the minister's office corridor will inevitably wither, and ministerial power will end along with the fading of the flowers." He continued, "Prosecutor General Yoon did not promote the support wreaths himself or show an emotional expression, whereas Minister Choo had her aides do self-promotion and even posted staged photos. Who do you think looks more confident?"

He added, "It seems she is embarrassed to come forward herself and is promoting the Ministry of Justice's flower path through her aides," and said, "It looks like a staged photo taken with awareness of someone taking pictures in front."

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae (left) and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, a conservative civic group called Liberty Solidarity sent about 20 condolence wreaths addressed to Minister Choo. The wreaths contained phrases such as "Pathetic Ministers of Justice," "If you are tired and lonely, rest at home," and "We express our condolences to the soulless Ministry of Justice."

Liberty Solidarity stated in a press release on the 22nd, "We have reported to the Gwacheon Police Station in Gyeonggi Province that we will hold a rally in front of the main gate of the Government Complex Gwacheon until the 19th of next month and display condolence wreaths," and added, "Minister Choo is boasting about the flowers she received, but to show the real public sentiment, we installed condolence wreaths."

They also claimed, "The political idea of sending a plainclothes prosecutor to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to investigate Prosecutor General Yoon is the final operation by the ruling party and government to take down Prosecutor General Yoon."

Liberty Solidarity said, "Minister Choo posting flower photos is an arrogant act of corrupt power," and stated, "The public no longer wants to see conflict news caused by Minister Choo," and added, "To sound the alarm on the Ministry of Justice's flower politics, we will start a campaign to send 'Condolence Choo Mi-ae Ministry of Justice' wreaths."

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