Seoul Mayor? Presidential Run? What Path Will Chu Mi-ae Take After 'Resignation Announcement'?

Published 18 Dec.2020 11:10(KST)

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is arriving at the Ministry of Justice in the Gwacheon Government Complex, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of the 18th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Attention is focused on the future moves of Choo Mi-ae, the Minister of Justice who has tendered her resignation. In political circles, there is a view that Minister Choo may be considering running for Seoul mayor or the presidential election. Additionally, some members of the ruling party are calling for her to withdraw her resignation, saying she still has much to do. Minister Choo has not yet made any special statements regarding her future plans immediately after announcing her resignation.

Minister Choo is currently attending to national affairs such as the schedule for the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Commission (Gong-su-cheo) candidate recommendation committee, so it is expected that she will continue to perform her duties as Minister of Justice until her resignation is accepted and a successor is appointed.

Park Joo-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged Minister Choo to continue fulfilling her duties as Minister of Justice. In an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 18th, Park said regarding Minister Choo's resignation, "She has done a lot for prosecutorial reform and seems to have much more to do, so it is regrettable if she has to quit now."

He added, "The president, who holds the power of appointment, has the most important say, but personally, I feel regret about her quitting now."

Regarding the process of 'tendering resignation,' he said, "I looked into it a bit, and even her aides reportedly did not know," adding, "So this seems to be something she has been contemplating deeply on her own rather than something discussed back and forth."

When the host asked, "Do you mean you hope her resignation is not accepted so she can work a little longer?" Park replied, "Yes," but also said, "Given the current atmosphere, it seems this is her own decision, so it is more likely that it will be accepted."

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

Meanwhile, there is also a view that Minister Choo is contemplating running for Seoul mayor or the presidential election.

Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, said on the same radio broadcast, "(If Minister Choo enters politics,) it will be either running for Seoul mayor or the presidential election," and questioned, "Might she misjudge her position?"

He continued, "She might mistakenly think she is presidential-level because among pro-Moon supporters, she is seen as the 'female Cho Kuk' and is extremely popular, so she might focus only on that and be troubled."

Regarding Minister Choo's resignation, he pointed out, "Even ruling party members say she is a significant burden within the party," and criticized, "Minister Choo is popular only within her 30% support base, but disliked by the remaining 70%." He added, "Her continued presence is a burden for the Blue House and the ruling party."

Ha said, "The essence of this situation is not the conflict between President Moon Jae-in and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, but the conflict between President Moon and the rule of law," adding, "(President Moon) is a president who opposes the rule of law."

Meanwhile, after tendering her resignation to President Moon, Minister Choo took a day of leave but is expected to continue performing her duties until her resignation is accepted.

According to the Ministry of Justice on the 18th, Minister Choo will attend the 5th meeting of the Gong-su-cheo candidate recommendation committee held at the National Assembly at 2 p.m. that day. She is expected to continue performing her ministerial duties and complete follow-up work such as the launch of the Gong-su-cheo until her resignation is accepted or a successor is appointed.