[Summary] Choo Mi-ae Mentions Roh Moo-hyun... Opposition: "Don't Insult Roh," "Must Control Disgusting Tongue"

Criticism of Chu Mi-ae for Posting Roh Moo-hyun's Portrait on SNS
Kim Eun-hye: "Now Summoning the Deceased... President Noh Would Click His Tongue"
People's Party: "Does Roh Have the Right to Speak?"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is attending the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 1st.
Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Su-wan] As Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae expressed her determination to push forward with prosecutorial reform while mentioning the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, criticism from the opposition parties continued on the 3rd.

Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the People Power Party, criticized in an oral statement that day, "We see the last desperate struggle of a Justice Minister who has been shunned by the public. When the Ministry of Justice Inspection Committee, the courts, and even trusted aides turn their backs, now even the deceased are being dragged into this."

She added, "'Assemblywoman Choo Mi-ae' led the impeachment of former President Roh Moo-hyun, so why should the public listen to her complaints? She should save her pitiful excuses for separate meetings with the pro-Moon Jae-in faction," and said, "The summoning of the deceased who is trying to suck up every last bit of power until the end is something that the late president, who made decisions for fairness and unity throughout his life, would click his tongue at."

Spokesperson Kim also said, "The minister who cannot find her bearings now makes us worry about who else she might drag down with her. The 'terrifying fear and dread' is not experienced by Minister Choo but by the people," and urged, "President Moon Jae-in should first assess whether Minister Choo can maintain her position normally and then free her by dismissing her."

Kim Geun-sik, Chairman of the People Power Party's Songpa-byeong District Committee in Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

Kim Geun-sik, professor at Gyeongnam National University and head of the People Power Party’s Songpa-byeong district in Seoul, also wrote on his Facebook, "She must have been really desperate. Minister Choo even summons the portrait of President Roh, whom she impeached," and pointed out, "She is probably scared of the backlash from public opinion and might end up taking all the blame alone, so she is also scared and is ultimately heading toward a joint fate strategy with the pro-Roh, pro-Moon, and 'Daekkaemun' factions."

He continued, "If the disciplinary committee is held, dismissal is forced, and the president approves, then Choo Mi-ae and Moon Jae-in will become a complete joint fate community," and claimed, "That is why, ahead of the D-day, she even calls upon Roh Moo-hyun’s photo to maximize the sense of unity with the pro-Roh, pro-Moon factions and President Moon."

He added, "On the other hand, it is also a declaration of refusal to take the blame quietly if the Moon administration tries to discard her," and explained, "President Moon has already instructed not to appoint Vice Minister Lee Yong-gu as the disciplinary committee chair, and the disciplinary decision is entirely Minister Choo’s, with the president having no choice but to accept the results according to the law."

Finally, Professor Kim said, "If the backlash against the attempt to oust Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl is strong and the joint front of Choo and Moon breaks, I am curious about what Minister Choo’s next move will be."

The People’s Party also voiced criticism. Ahn Hye-jin, spokesperson for the People’s Party, said in a statement, "Please first reflect on whether you are qualified to even mention President Roh Moo-hyun and restrain your hateful tongue," and criticized, "The people full of pride in honoring the late President Roh Moo-hyun, who was proud to be citizens of a democracy and a rule-of-law country, will no longer tolerate this."

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon also wrote on his Facebook that day, "Look at Choo Mi-ae scheming. This performance has become the official aesthetic of the Moon Jae-in administration’s Tak Hyun-min style," and claimed, "Her intention is to summon memories of Roh Moo-hyun to rally supporters again as her position becomes precarious."

Jin added, "How unfair and angry would President Roh be if he saw this from heaven? They have exploited the public’s 'resentment' over President Roh’s death for their political interests. Stop this nonsense and resign now," he urged.

A photo of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun shared by Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae on her Facebook on the 3rd. Photo by Minister Choo's Facebook capture.

Earlier that day, Minister Choo posted a portrait of the late President Roh on her Facebook, dismissing calls for her resignation that arose around Prosecutor General Yoon’s reinstatement.

Minister Choo said to the prosecution, "While investigating the living power, the prosecution, which has already become a political force to the extent of being called the 'Prosecution Party,' is politically selecting investigation targets and manipulating public opinion, thereby paralyzing even democratic control systems," and added, "If this is not reformed, prosecutorial reform will become an empty phrase. Therefore, I cannot give up my duty."

She continued, "I will advance without wavering. I will move forward without fear. This is my earnest prayer and heart offered to the portrait of the late President Roh Moo-hyun at Naksan Temple in Donghae," expressing her determination for prosecutorial reform.

Meanwhile, Minister Choo entered politics under President Kim Dae-jung but faced backlash after participating in the impeachment of former President Roh in 2004 and losing in the general election.

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