Opposition Supports Yoon Seok-yeol Against 'Prosecutor Reform'... "Chief Yoon Is Right" (Summary)

"Jungsucheong, Ruling Party's Attempt at 'Complete Prosecution Reform'"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Opposition lawmakers expressed support for Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who opposed the government and ruling party's prosecution reform, and voiced opposition to the establishment of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency. The lawmakers are concerned that the ruling party's discussion on establishing the agency is aimed at the so-called 'Geomsu Wanbak' (complete removal of prosecution's investigative authority).

Ahn Cheol-soo: "Fully Sympathize with Yoon Seok-yeol's Appeal"

Ahn Cheol-soo, Leader of the People Party Photo by Yonhap News

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, introduced Prosecutor General Yoon’s interview on Facebook on the 2nd, stating, "I fully sympathize with Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol’s appeal that corruption will run rampant if the prosecution’s investigative authority is abolished and the criminal justice system collapses."

In the interview with Kukmin Ilbo on the same day, Prosecutor General Yoon responded to the question, "Do you think this is an attempt to shake the prosecution?" by saying, "Our society, which has developed democracy, is regressing and facing a crisis where constitutional values are being denied," and expressed his determination, "If I can stop it by risking my position, I will do so a hundred times."

Ahn Hye-jin, spokesperson for the People’s Party, also released a statement that day, saying, "I deeply sympathize with Prosecutor General Yoon’s concerns," and added, "Abolishing the prosecution’s investigative authority completely destroys the smooth cooperation system between the prosecution and police, where investigation and prosecution are integrated." She also defended Prosecutor General Yoon, who had been reluctant to express his stance until now, saying, "I applaud him for courageously standing up against the great power that expected a tame prosecutor general, risking his honor and position."

People Power Party’s Jeong Jin-seok, Kwon Young-se, and Na Kyung-won Also Say "Prosecutor General Yoon Is Right"

Jin Jeong-seok, Member of the People Power Party [Image source=Yonhap News]

Lawmakers from the People Power Party also joined in supporting Prosecutor General Yoon’s remarks that day. Bae Jun-young, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said regarding Prosecutor General Yoon’s interview, "It shows signs that the conflict between the administration and the prosecution has reached a critical point," and described it as "resistance against attempts to overhaul South Korea’s criminal justice system using parliamentary rubber-stampers."

He criticized the ruling party’s ongoing push for the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, saying, "Despite public concerns, the Democratic Party is recklessly trying to create the Serious Crime Investigation Agency to completely neutralize the prosecution," and added, "They are pushing it through like a military operation aiming for this June."

Jeong Jin-seok, a lawmaker in charge of candidate management for the People Power Party, also pointed out on Facebook that the ruling party is attempting the so-called 'Geomsu Wanbak.' Jeong said, "Prosecutor General Yoon is right," and argued, "The harshness of Prosecutor General Yoon’s criticism reflects how much the Moon Jae-in administration and the Democratic Party have ignored laws and procedures, engaging in unfair and illegal acts." He further stated, "Our party must risk everything to protect constitutional values such as liberal democracy, market economy, and the rule of law."

Na Kyung-won, People Power Party Seoul mayoral primary candidate. / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Na Kyung-won, former lawmaker and Seoul mayoral pre-candidate, also appealed on Facebook, saying, "We must not ignore Prosecutor General Yoon’s cry," and warned, "The Moon Jae-in administration is putting all its efforts into 'neutralizing the prosecution.'" She criticized the government and ruling party, saying, "On the surface, it’s a plausible excuse of 'checking prosecutorial power,' but in reality, they intend to split and weaken the investigative function itself to block investigations against the administration."

Kwon Young-se, a former prosecutor and lawmaker, mentioned Prosecutor General Yoon’s remarks on Facebook, pointing out, "The reason they are pushing the so-called 'Geomsu Wanbak' is simple," and said, "They want to weaken investigative agencies to cover up their public and private crimes over the past four years."

Kim Ki-hyun, a former judge and People Power Party lawmaker, also stated on Facebook that day, "About 80% of OECD countries integrate investigative and prosecutorial powers and recognize the prosecution’s direct investigative authority," and added, "It is obvious what their intention is in going against this universal trend to effectively dismantle the prosecution."

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