President Moon approves Yoon Seok-yeol's 'suspension' disciplinary action... Choo expresses resignation (Summary)

President Moon "Unprecedented 'Prosecutor General Discipline' Incident, Deeply Apologetic to the People"

Jung Man-ho, Senior Secretary for Public Communication at the Blue House, is briefing on the afternoon of the 16th at the Blue House regarding President Moon Jae-in's approval of the disciplinary action against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol. 2020.12.16 [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] President Moon Jae-in approved the disciplinary recommendation from Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae regarding Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl on the 16th, the Blue House announced. Minister Choo tendered her resignation on the same day.

Jung Man-ho, Senior Secretary for Public Communication at the Blue House, held a briefing at the press center in the afternoon and stated, "According to the Prosecutor Disciplinary Act, when the Minister of Justice recommends disciplinary action, the president must approve and enforce the disciplinary decision without discretion." The disciplinary effect on Prosecutor General Yoon takes effect immediately upon approval.

Minister Choo personally came to the Blue House around 5 p.m. and stayed for about 1 hour and 20 minutes to submit the recommendation face-to-face. President Moon approved the disciplinary recommendation for Prosecutor General Yoon around 6:30 p.m.

Regarding this, President Moon said, "As the appointing authority, I take the unprecedented situation of the 'disciplinary action against the Prosecutor General' very seriously," and added, "I deeply apologize to the public." He also expressed hope that "this will be an opportunity for the prosecution to stand upright," and said, "I hope this will bring an end to the confusion surrounding the disciplinary action against the Prosecutor General and look forward to a new start for the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution."

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae (left) and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol [Image source=Yonhap News]

Additionally, Senior Secretary Jung conveyed that Minister Choo expressed her resignation to President Moon at this meeting. However, President Moon highly evaluated Minister Choo's expression of resignation and her decision regarding her position, stating, "I will carefully consider and decide whether to accept it," and urged her to "fulfill her duties until the end," thus not immediately deciding on acceptance.

President Moon also said, "Without Minister Choo's drive and determination, reforms of power institutions, including the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and investigative authority reforms, would have been impossible," and expressed special gratitude for "faithfully completing the mission entrusted by the era."

A senior Blue House official told reporters regarding this, "(Minister Choo) voluntarily expressed her resignation first," and explained the background of her resignation by saying, "She judged that the important reform legislation she had been pushing forward was completed and that she had fulfilled her duties."

Regarding Prosecutor General Yoon's side announcing legal action against the enforcement of the disciplinary measure, the official refrained from commenting, saying, "It is not appropriate for the Blue House to evaluate Prosecutor General Yoon's response." However, when asked whether the disciplinary committee ensured procedural legitimacy, the official said, "President Moon has repeatedly emphasized procedural legitimacy and fairness, and the disciplinary process was conducted accordingly," and added, "(The president's approval) is the process of enforcing the disciplinary committee's resolution," effectively dismissing Prosecutor General Yoon's side's claims indirectly.

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