Prosecutor General Yoon's 'Disciplinary Action', High Waves over the Public Officials Corruption Investigation Act... Why Cheong Distances Itself

After the 8th, President Moon's messages focus on non-political issues... Political risk management, the 10th is a turning point for situation changes

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] Although the political landscape in December is engulfed in a 'whirlwind,' the Blue House is stepping aside from political issues and focusing on non-political activities. While the opposition parties have raised the flag of struggle for the resignation of the Moon Jae-in administration together with civil society, the Blue House continues its 'my way' approach.

Since December 8, President Moon Jae-in's messages have concentrated on COVID-19 response and livelihood and economic matters. Notably, December 10 was the day when the Ministry of Justice's disciplinary committee for Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and the National Assembly plenary session on the 'High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gong-su-cheo)' law were held.

The opposition shows a resolute stance of resistance, and the ruling party is making an all-out effort to pass contentious bills, but the Blue House is refraining from political remarks as much as possible. President Moon's Facebook post on that day was no exception. He emphasized the government's commitment to stabilizing the lives of cultural and artistic workers by stating, "From today, the 'Artists Employment Insurance System' is implemented." It was not related to political issues or prosecutorial reform.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On December 9, when Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, requested a political negotiation with President Moon, the Blue House invited Mr. Son Chang-geun, who donated the national treasure 'Sehando' by calligrapher Kim Jeong-hui, to express gratitude for the donation. The Blue House carried out the scheduled event without responding to the opposition's political demands.

This approach by President Moon contrasts with the atmosphere during the senior secretaries and aides meeting on December 7. On that day, President Moon conveyed a hopeful message about prosecutorial reform and the launch of the Gong-su-cheo, saying, "We have finally reached an opportunity to complete institutional reform of power agencies."

The ruling party's rapid legislative push is also not unrelated to President Moon's messages. Analysts interpret that President Moon's restraint from political remarks after effectively ordering a strong offensive is a risk management strategy. The Blue House's passive response to the opposition's calls for dialogue reflects this as well. Fundamentally, it implies that these issues should be resolved between the ruling and opposition parties, not through Blue House intervention.

Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, directly targeted President Moon regarding the ruling party's legislative rampage, reflecting this sentiment. At the emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Kim said, "Even a child in Samcheok knows that President Moon is behind the abuse of state power," and urged, "Please resolve the chaotic political situation through a second June 29 declaration."

However, after this day, a change in the Blue House's response strategy seems inevitable. If a severe disciplinary decision is made against Prosecutor General Yoon and the ruling party pushes through the Gong-su-cheo law, political turmoil is expected to intensify. Especially if Prosecutor General Yoon's position is decided, President Moon's message will inevitably be issued in some form. The same applies to the Gong-su-cheo-related law. The Blue House is already said to be plunging into the chaotic vortex of December's political situation.

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