Geum Tae-seop: "Prosecutor Reform Shows Moon Jae-in Government's Incompetence and Irresponsibility"

"While the people suffer from COVID-19, the government focuses on prosecutorial reform"
"Prosecutorial reform means ousting Yoon Seok-yeol and is synonymous with defending Cho Kuk"

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop. Photo by JTBC, captured from the broadcast of 'New Year's Special Debate'.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop criticized the Ministry of Justice's suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's duties, which was halted by the court, saying it "shows the incompetence and irresponsibility of the Moon Jae-in administration" in relation to prosecutorial reform.

On the 4th, JTBC's 'New Year's Special Grand Debate' aired, featuring Jeong Han-jung, Dean of the Graduate School of Law at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min, former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, and former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon, discussing prosecutorial reform.

On the day, former lawmaker Geum said, "While the public is suffering from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the government has been focusing on prosecutorial reform," adding, "Prosecutorial reform is synonymous with ousting Yoon Seok-yeol and protecting Cho Kuk."

He continued, "Is it right that the government has driven society with this agenda for a year?" and "The government's loss of consistency is also a problem," pointing out issues with both the Moon Jae-in administration and the prosecutorial reform it pursues.

He further stated, "When appointing Yoon Seok-yeol, President Moon said he chose him because he does not show loyalty to individuals and asked for the same treatment toward the living power," but "within the Democratic Party and pro-Moon factions, there are remarks like 'You should be grateful since President Moon picked Yoon Seok-yeol, who was just passing time.'"

Regarding this, former professor Jin emphasized, "The court has put a brake on the ruling party and government that had been recklessly pushing forward," adding, "The ruling clearly states, 'The suspension order against the applicant by the president is suspended.' This demonstrates the principle of separation of powers."

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is attending an event held on the afternoon of September 18 at the annex of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 24th of last month, the court accepted Prosecutor General Yoon's request for suspension of the disciplinary action filed against Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae.

The Democratic Party expressed "deep regret" over the court's decision that day. Choi In-ho, the Democratic Party's chief spokesperson, stated in a commentary, "This judicial decision does not properly reflect the seriousness of the grave misconduct for which the executive branch legally decided disciplinary action."

On the other hand, former lawmaker Geum emphasized in a post on his Facebook that "the world that was going crazy has begun to gradually find its place." He added, "I hope yesterday's ruling and today's decision will be a small comfort to those who suffered while speaking the truth," referring to the suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon's disciplinary action and the four-year prison sentence given to Jung Kyung-shim, wife of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and professor at Dongyang University.

Previously, the Ministry of Justice's Prosecutor Disciplinary Committee decided on the two-month suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon on the 16th of last month.

President Moon approved Yoon's disciplinary action at 6:30 p.m. that day. However, the court accepted Yoon's request for suspension of execution, allowing him to return to duty after eight days. This is the second return to duty following the court's suspension of the duty exclusion on the 1st.

Meanwhile, this 'New Year's Special Grand Debate' is held over two days. Today (the 5th), the current issues of the Moon Jae-in administration's four years in power are put under scrutiny. With about a year left in the term, topics such as evaluation of COVID-19 prevention and response, and real estate issues that have been hindering the government will be discussed.

Politicians including Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, Jeju Province Governor Won Hee-ryong, Democratic Party lawmaker Ko Min-jung, and People Power Party lawmaker Hwang Bo-seung-hee will participate in the debate.

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