"Unbiased Nuclear Power Plant Investigation Needed"… People Power Party Aligns with Yoon

Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 3rd and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol resumed his duties and launched an investigation into public officials involved in the allegations surrounding the early shutdown of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1, the People Power Party also emphasized a "sanctuary-free nuclear power investigation" and aligned with this stance. Floor leader Joo Ho-young clarified, following criticism from senior party members after his remark that "Prosecutor General Yoon should say he is not engaging in politics," by stating, "I am not being cautious."

Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, said at the emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 3rd, "Public suspicion is growing about what exactly happened regarding the early shutdown of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1," adding, "It is unreasonable to accept as common sense that the economic feasibility of the nuclear plant was manipulated based on a single word from the president, leading to the early shutdown."

Immediately upon resuming his duties on the 2nd, Prosecutor General Yoon approved the request for arrest warrants for three public officials who obstructed the audit of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant. While the ruling party protested, calling it a "political investigation," the opposition defended it as the "legitimate duty of the prosecution." Chairman Kim is also interpreted as reinforcing the justification for Prosecutor General Yoon's actions by urging the resolution of the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant allegations.

Chairman Kim stated, "The general analysis is that the ruling power took an extreme measure by suspending Prosecutor General Yoon's duties in the process of comprehensively covering up the nuclear power investigation," adding, "There should be no sanctuary in investigations of power, and covering up power investigations through subtle methods will not conceal the truth forever." He also said, "It would be wise for the president to personally intervene and halt the issue concerning Prosecutor General Yoon at this point," emphasizing, "For South Korea, which has prided itself on democracy, to now see the rule of law collapse and constitutional order not properly established is to undermine the achievements we have built."

Floor leader Joo Ho-young also supported Prosecutor General Yoon by mentioning that Lee Yong-gu, the nominee for Deputy Minister of Justice, was a former lawyer for Baek Woon-gyu, the former Minister of Industry and Resources involved in the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant controversy. He pointed out, "The fact that the nominee for Deputy Minister of Justice is the lawyer for former Minister Baek, who is related to the investigation of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1, violates the principle of 'conflict of interest prevention,' so the nomination should be withdrawn even now," and stressed, "The president should encourage Prosecutor General Yoon more, as initially stated, to 'investigate the living power.'"

Earlier, Floor leader Joo had said that Prosecutor General Yoon needed to declare political neutrality, but after criticism from both inside and outside the party, including senior members, he clarified in a radio interview on the same day. Appearing on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" that morning, he said, "Since the government and ruling party keep attacking, it would be much more helpful for the performance of duties to clearly state, 'I am not currently planning to engage in politics,'" adding, "What Prosecutor General Yoon does or does not do after retirement is a matter of freedom of occupational choice guaranteed by the constitution and a decision for the people."

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