Seomin Attending Kim Oh-soo Hearing: "Moon Jae-in's Prosecutorial Reform Is Going Wrong"

"Progressives Now Represent Privileged Classes, Not the People"
"An Era Where It's Difficult to Even Mention President Moon's Name"

Professor Seomin from Dankook University is appearing as a witness at the confirmation hearing for Kim Oh-soo, the nominee for Prosecutor General, held by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the afternoon of the 26th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] On the 26th, Professor Seomin from Dankook University, who appeared as a witness at the confirmation hearing for Kim Osu, the nominee for Prosecutor General, criticized the Moon Jae-in administration's prosecution reform, saying it is going in the wrong direction.

At the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Professor Seomin stated, "The essence of prosecution reform is to break the prosecution's wrongful practices and investigate the living power," and pointed out, "The current Moon Jae-in style prosecution reform is going in the opposite direction."

Regarding his repeated criticism of the Moon Jae-in administration and the Democratic Party of Korea, he explained, "In August 2019, the 'Cho Kuk incident' occurred, and the progressive image I believed in collapsed," adding, "The 'double standards' phenomenon took root, and it seemed that the progressives were representing the privileged class rather than the people, so I started to criticize the progressives."

On the difference between former President Roh Moo-hyun and President Moon Jae-in, he said, "Former President Roh sincerely apologized and showed forgiveness several times when he was wrong," and criticized, "Now is an era where it is difficult to even mention President Moon's name respectfully."

He also expressed, "I feel burdened when talking about other people and President Moon," and "I always have a fear of being attacked for saying something wrong."

Kim Oh-soo, nominee for Prosecutor General, is being questioned by members of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the confirmation hearing held on the 26th. / Photo by Yonhap News

When Rep. Jo Su-jin of the People Power Party asked him to evaluate the appointment of the Prosecutor General, Professor Seomin claimed, "The prosecution chief the administration wanted was probably someone else," and "Because that person was eliminated from the appointment, I think the candidate who pleased the administration among the remaining people was chosen."

During the hearing, a heated debate arose between ruling and opposition party lawmakers over the questions directed at Professor Seomin.

Rep. Kim Nam-guk of the Democratic Party of Korea pointed out, "Witnesses like Professor Seomin came out to discuss matters related to the candidate's verification," and criticized, "Looking at the questions asked by Rep. Jo Su-jin, they are not about the candidate's morality, qualifications as Prosecutor General, or prosecution reform, but rather irrelevant questions."

In response, Rep. Jo said, "What I asked Professor Seomin was a general perspective on Moon Jae-in style prosecution reform," and "Anyone can ask questions."

Rep. Kim Do-eup of the People Power Party also argued, "It was the Democratic Party that unilaterally pushed Professor Seomin as a witness," and "Kim's nomination clearly shows political bias, and we cannot help but talk about President Moon's perception in nominating such a candidate."

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