Joo Ho-young: "The Chief of the Corruption Investigation Office Will Show the Same Behavior as Minister Choo Mi-ae"

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is delivering opening remarks at the 1st Untact Policy Workshop held at the National Assembly on the 29th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, predicted that the candidates for the head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (PCC) lack the courage to investigate the "living power" and would rather exhibit behavior similar to that of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae.

On the 30th, Joo appeared on KBS Radio's "Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs" and said, "There is a probability that the prosecution will take over and shelve the ongoing investigations into regime corruption cases," expressing this view.

Regarding the two candidates currently nominated for the PCC head, he said, "I have a guess who will be chosen, and one person is understood to be included just formally," and criticized, "(The likely candidate) has no experience managing an organization nor conducting investigations." He believes that Kim Jin-wook, a Constitutional Court researcher who is not a former prosecutor, is likely to become the PCC head.

He added, "Currently, when the PCC investigates important cases, the police or prosecution must report immediately, and if they wish, the PCC can simply take over those cases," and "There is a very high probability that the PCC head will show the same behavior as Minister Choo."

He also raised suspicions that the recommendation committee members are acting according to the will of power. He pointed out, "Initially, candidate Jeon Hyun-jung received 5 votes, but this time only one vote came out," and questioned, "How could four votes disappear without collusion among different members?"

Regarding the PCC head confirmation hearing, he stated that they plan to respond actively. Joo said, "We will not neglect the hearing and will exercise all the powers given to us thoroughly," but hinted at the possibility of forced appointment by saying, "Look at the confirmation hearing for Land Minister nominee Byun Chang-heum; despite many flaws and public opposition, he was appointed."

He continued, "Moreover, the Blue House is going even further regarding the PCC head candidates," and added, "They say they will not conduct personnel verification because the National Assembly recommended them, which is like shirking their verification responsibility."

Regarding President Moon Jae-in's announcement the day before that vaccines were secured through a call with Moderna's CEO, he criticized, "Until now, the final person responsible for securing vaccines was Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, saying 'That is where the responsibility lies,'" and questioned, "Then why does the responsible person not make the contract, and the president makes the call to contract?" calling it a show-off.

Joo Ho-young said, "If even one-hundredth of the effort used to oust Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl had been used, vaccines would have been secured faster, and the hundreds of infections at Dongbu Detention Center could have been prevented," and criticized, "It seems they are neglecting practical work that helps the people and only doing things for show."

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