Cho Kuk on Choo's Resignation Announcement: "Like an Exile, Unable to Help... It Breaks My Heart"

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk said on the 16th that Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae’s resignation was "a preemptive decision to take political responsibility regardless of the reason."

In a post on his Facebook on the same day, former Minister Cho said, "The Prosecutor General, who intends to engage in legal litigation, and the Minister of Justice, who intends to take political responsibility, are showing contrasting stances."

He added, "She stepped down as the institutional reform and disciplinary procedures were concluded," and "I assume Minister Choo’s anguish was deep."

Former Minister Cho also addressed Minister Choo, saying, "You have been under tremendous attack all this time, and as an 'exile,' I could not be of any help," expressing, "My heart aches."

Meanwhile, Cheong Wa Dae’s Senior Secretary for Public Communication Jung Man-ho held a briefing at the Press Center on the same day and announced that President Moon Jae-in approved a two-month suspension disciplinary measure against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. He also explained that Minister Choo expressed her intention to resign during this process.

President Moon reportedly said regarding Minister Choo’s resignation, "If it were not for Minister Choo’s drive and determination, reforms of power institutions including the High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Unit (HOCI) and investigative authority reform would have been impossible," and "I highly appreciate her decision on her position. I will carefully consider whether to accept it."

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