"We Have No Orders Like the Gwanghwamun Rally... Protestant Community Urges Dismissal of Yoon Seok-yeol and Prosecutorial Reform"

Religious Circles Issue Consecutive Declarations Supporting Prosecution Reform

On the morning of the 8th, Christian members longing for prosecution reform held a press conference in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, urging prosecution reform and the dismissal of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Amid ongoing public declarations urging prosecutorial reform from religious communities including Catholicism, Protestantism, and Won Buddhism, Pastor Yang Heesam of Catacomb Church, who led the Protestant declaration, asserted that "(Our declaration) had no directives or assignments like the Gwanghwamun rallies, and was purely participated in by individuals."

Pastor Yang appeared on TBS's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' on the 9th and said regarding the number of participants in the declaration, "At the time of the press conference, there were close to 3,800 to 3,900 people, and the solidarity signatures are still ongoing," adding, "Currently, about 4,400 people have signed."

He continued, "Usually, what happens in churches is that, as seen in the previous Gwanghwamun rally, the senior pastor gives instructions or assignments," and said, "(This solidarity signing) was purely individual participation without any organized mobilization. I thought at most it would be about 1,000 people, but I was surprised as 1,500 to 2,000 people signed up per day, exceeding expectations."

Regarding the purpose of the declaration, he explained, "It is an awakening and expression of anger questioning whether the behavior of the prosecution and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is appropriate," and added, "I believe punishment is necessary for the wrongdoings Prosecutor General Yoon has committed so far. Ultimately, since there is no law preventing another person like Prosecutor General Yoon from appearing, it is clear that the dispersal of prosecutorial power must be carried out."

Earlier, about 3,800 Protestants announced their stance urging prosecutorial reform. They claimed that Prosecutor General Yoon obstructs prosecutorial reform and demanded his dismissal.

The group 'Christians Longing for Prosecutorial Reform' held a press conference on the morning of the 8th in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, stating, "The prosecution must be reformed. Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol must be dismissed."

The organization criticized, "The pinnacle of deep-rooted evils is undoubtedly the prosecution organization," and said, "The prosecution in the Republic of Korea is an overwhelmingly powerful institution monopolizing investigative and prosecutorial authority, unprecedented worldwide."

They also demanded △ adjustment of investigative authority between police and prosecution and appointment of the head of the Corruption Investigation Office △ resignation of Prosecutor General Yoon △ cessation of media reports protecting the prosecution.

Meanwhile, declarations urging prosecutorial reform continue within the religious community. On the 1st, 100 representatives from Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, and Won Buddhism announced support for prosecutorial reform. On the 7th, the Catholic Priests' Association for Justice made a declaration, followed by the Protestant community on the 8th. On the 9th, the Won Buddhist Social Reform Clergy Group is scheduled to host the 'Won Buddhist Clergy Declaration Hoping for Prosecutorial Reform.'

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