10 Seoul National University Professors Say "Conflict Between Chu and Yoon Is a Regression of Democracy"

Jo Young-dal, CEO, Holds Video Conference... "Citizens Must Become Watchdogs of Democracy"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Seoul National University professors expressed concerns about the regression of democracy amid the conflict between Justice Minister Chu Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, urging "citizens to act as watchdogs of democracy."

On the 7th, Professor Cho Young-dal of the Department of Social Education at Seoul National University held an online press conference representing "10 Seoul National University professors concerned about the regression of democracy," stating, "We express serious concerns about the regression of democracy related to the current conflict between the prosecution and the Ministry of Justice."

In a jointly authored statement, Professor Cho said, "The Republic of Korea is failing to continue the flow of history and is heading toward a crisis of grounding," adding, "The regression of democracy reminiscent of past authoritarian governments is intensifying extreme social conflicts and ideological confrontations, shaking the lives of the people to the core."

He particularly pointed out, "The conflict between the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor General essentially aims to subordinate the prosecution to power," and criticized, "Despite many disagreements regarding the Prosecutor General, whose term is guaranteed, attempting to discipline him is a serious challenge to the rule of law."

He further criticized, "The idea that elected power should control everything stems from a failure to understand that the core of our constitution is to control the arbitrary exercise of power through the principles of checks and balances."

They urged the Seoul National University faculty community and citizens to "all act as watchdogs of democracy."

Professor Cho described the statement released that day as "virtually a declaration on the current state." The professors who joined the statement are from three colleges within Seoul National University.

When asked by reporters to disclose the list of signatories, he said, "Due to the sensitive times, some may suffer if the list is disclosed, so we have decided not to reveal it for now," adding, "We will disclose the list later during the process of appealing for the participation of the entire Seoul National University faculty community."

Professor Cho added that he plans to proceed with the process of urging all Seoul National University professors to join the statement in the future.

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