Yoon Seok-yeol Faces 'Voluntary Resignation' Pressure from Democratic Party

Respect for Choo toward prosecution reform: "Great achievements made"
"Following Choo's resignation, public opinion favors Yoon's voluntary resignation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Regarding President Moon Jae-in's approval on the 16th of the Ministry of Justice's disciplinary committee decision on Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, the Democratic Party of Korea appears to be increasing pressure by mentioning Yoon's voluntary resignation. Concerning Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's expression of intention to resign to President Moon on the same day, the party released a message of respect, saying she "left great achievements in prosecutorial reform."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Democratic Party expressed respect for Minister Choo's decision, calling her a leading figure in prosecutorial reform, including the launch of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (Gong-su-cheo). Floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon said at a policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 17th, "Minister Choo has expressed her intention to resign. She strongly pushed forward prosecutorial reform, and I pay tribute to her decision." He added, "The reform to relinquish past privileges and move toward a prosecution serving the people is an unstoppable trend of the times," emphasizing, "I hope this will be an opportunity for the prosecution to start anew."

Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 17th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Democratic Party spokesperson Heo Young also expressed deep respect for Minister Choo's decision during a briefing following her resignation announcement the previous day, saying, "Minister Choo laid the historic foundation for prosecutorial reform and reform of power institutions." On the other hand, regarding the approval decision on Prosecutor General Yoon, he raised his voice, saying, "He remains the first prosecutor general in constitutional history to receive a two-month suspension," and "Since the appointing authority, the president, has approved it, he must humbly accept the result as a public official. The necessity of prosecutorial reform has become even clearer."

Since this approval decision is the consent of the appointing authority who appointed Prosecutor General Yoon, the Democratic Party believes Yoon should also make a political judgment on this matter. Within the party, public opinion is dominant that following Minister Choo's resignation announcement, Prosecutor General Yoon should voluntarily resign.

A member of the Democratic Party leadership said in a phone call with Asia Economy on the day, "Voluntary resignation is appropriate for both himself and the prosecution organization," emphasizing, "The majority of the public also hopes that after both step down from their conflict, a fresh start can be made. Filing lawsuits against the disciplinary action only narrows his own position by going against the will of the appointing authority."

The previous day, lawmaker Woo Sang-ho also criticized the disciplinary committee's 'two-month suspension' decision on Prosecutor General Yoon, saying, "If you are not to be ashamed before the people, the only option left is voluntary resignation," and urged, "Stop tiring the people any further. Do not politicize the position of prosecutor general; come out and fulfill your own will."

Meanwhile, with Minister Choo's resignation announcement, the political circles have already started warming up discussions on candidates for the next Minister of Justice. Among the rumored candidates is first-term lawmaker So Byung-chul, a recruited talent of the Democratic Party. So was also a candidate for the next prosecutor general in 2017.

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