Called 'shocking'... The ruling party, unable to conduct even one 'Choo-Yoon state audit'

People Power Party Proposes "Choo-Yoon Joint State Audit"
Ruling Party Suddenly Says "Need to Be Cautious"
"Why Can't They Scold?", "Fear of Being Counterattacked" Criticism

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the special advisory group appointment ceremony held at the National Assembly on the 18th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Han Seung-gon and Kang Joo-hee] As Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae issued an unprecedented order to suspend Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol from duty and disciplinary action in constitutional history, the People Power Party officially announced on the 26th that it would push for a 'state audit' of Minister Choo and Prosecutor General Yoon. This was in acceptance of the proposal made by Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 25th, who called Yoon's 'judge surveillance allegations' "shocking" and suggested a state audit first.

However, the Democratic Party is suddenly showing a cautious attitude toward the state audit. At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 27th, Leader Lee said regarding the state audit of Prosecutor General Yoon, "It is only natural for the National Assembly to investigate, verify, and systematize institutionally," adding, "The opposition party is trying to drag even such a serious issue into political strife or political games." But he also said, "We should wait for the results of the Ministry of Justice's inspection and the prosecution's investigation, and based on those results, the National Assembly must fulfill its responsibilities."

This statement is interpreted as a call to conduct a 'state audit' after the inspection and investigation results are released. Some interpret that although the state audit card was suddenly pulled out to pressure Prosecutor General Yoon, it might rather provide an opportunity for the opposition and Yoon to counterattack.

The People Power Party is in favor of pushing for a comprehensive state audit of Minister Choo and Prosecutor General Yoon. Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman, stated at the emergency committee meeting that day, "Along with the reasons for suspending the Prosecutor General from duty, a comprehensive state audit should be conducted to determine whether there were any problems with the Ministry of Justice Minister's abuse of investigative command authority and excessive personnel authority."

He continued, "There are many criticisms that the unprecedented reason for suspending the Prosecutor General from duty is very weak," pointing out, "In fact, traces show that even basic facts were not properly confirmed."

The background behind the People Power Party's judgment seems to be that Prosecutor General Yoon can actively explain his allegations during the national audit watched by the entire nation and create an opportunity to counterattack Minister Choo.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, met with reporters after the floor leaders' meeting at the National Assembly that morning and said, "The party leader strongly told us to consider a state audit, but if the party refuses, does that mean the leader is in lame duck status?" He criticized, "Regardless of the leader's words, this is a matter of national and public interest and a case of national disgrace. If we do not conduct a state audit on this matter, then what was the National Assembly created for?"

Assemblyman Ha Tae-kyung emphasized on his Facebook that day, "The reasons Minister Choo claimed for excluding Prosecutor General Yoon from duty have no basis, so even if Yoon appears at the state audit, it will not be disadvantageous. Rather, it will be a stage to expose Yoon's legitimacy and Minister Choo's problems."

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

In response, the Democratic Party is showing a step-back attitude, saying "It was not an unconditional call for a state audit." Kim Jong-min, a Supreme Council member, said on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that day, "It is not that we decided to conduct a state audit, but to emphasize the seriousness of the issue, we suggested clarifying the truth through a state audit or special investigation." He explained that Prosecutor General Yoon's alleged misconduct is serious enough to be revealed through a state audit.

Park Ju-min, a member of the same party, also said on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "While there are advantages to revealing the truth through a state audit, it often becomes a political issue. Personally, I think we need to be cautious about going to a state audit." There is concern that if a state audit is conducted on the unprecedented suspension of the Prosecutor General, the opposition might politicize the issue and obscure its essence.

Meanwhile, the People Power Party continues to push for a venue where Prosecutor General Yoon can directly explain his alleged misconduct. However, the ruling party holds the position that it cannot agree to the opposition's proposal due to procedural issues and others.

At the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee (Legislation Committee) meeting held on the 25th, when the People Power Party proposed summoning Prosecutor General Yoon to hear his direct explanation for fact-finding, Yoon Ho-jung, the committee chairman from the Democratic Party, said, "The committee has neither requested this nor agreed on the agenda. Who did you talk to that the Prosecutor General wants to come in on his own?" and adjourned the committee.

The next day (26th), members of the People Power Party in the Legislation Committee visited Chairman Yoon to protest and demanded again to hold an emergency inquiry targeting Prosecutor General Yoon and others, but due to opposition from the Democratic Party, no agreement was reached.

As a result, there are criticisms that the Democratic Party feels burdened not only by the state audit but also by any form in which Prosecutor General Yoon expresses his position in the National Assembly or elsewhere.

Kim Geun-sik, head of the People Power Party's Songpa-byeong district in Seoul, wrote on his Facebook on the 26th, "If Prosecutor General Yoon's misconduct is so astonishing, why don't they call him to the National Assembly to question and reprimand him? It's really puzzling," asking, "Shouldn't the Democratic Party take the lead in calling Yoon, reprimanding, questioning, and scolding him? Shouldn't they strictly question him as representatives of the people?"

He added, "They are pushing disciplinary action through unilateral inspection, but the Democratic Party does not have the confidence to reprimand Prosecutor General Yoon in front of the public. They are afraid of being counterattacked by Yoon's rebuttal," criticizing, "It looks really pitiful that Democratic Party lawmakers have to clean up the mess Minister Choo made in the Legislation Committee."

Meanwhile, it is known that Prosecutor General Yoon filed a lawsuit for suspension of the enforcement of the suspension order at the Seoul Administrative Court on the 25th, just one day after Minister Choo issued the suspension order.

If the court accepts Prosecutor General Yoon's application for suspension of enforcement, Minister Choo's suspension order will be suspended until the main lawsuit's result is announced, and Yoon can resume his duties as Prosecutor General. Conversely, if the application is dismissed, Yoon must respond to the main lawsuit while remaining suspended from duty.

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