Kim Nam-guk: "Suspicion of 'Lenient Investigation' into Yoon's Mother-in-law... Infinitely Lenient Toward Mother-in-law's Allegations"

Rep. Kim Nam-guk of the Democratic Party of Korea questioning at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Kim Namguk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, fiercely criticized former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol regarding allegations related to his mother-in-law, saying, "Yoon Seok-yeol is infinitely lenient toward his mother-in-law's allegations. Is this the 'fairness and justice' that Yoon Seok-yeol talks about?"

On the 2nd, Kim posted on his Facebook, "Former Prosecutor General Yoon's mother-in-law was indicted on charges of illegally establishing a nursing hospital and fraudulently receiving nursing care benefits amounting to as much as 2.29 billion won from the National Health Insurance Corporation," adding, "If true, it is a very serious crime involving embezzlement of national health insurance funds. Three partners, who can be considered co-owners, were already severely punished with up to 4 years in prison in 2015."

He stated, "Since the mother-in-law, Ms. Choi, denies the charges, the trial results must be observed, but it is not reasonable investigation to not even file charges simply because a 'responsibility exemption memorandum,' which cannot affect the establishment of a crime under criminal law, was received."

He continued, "Especially if the facts revealed through reinvestigation are true, it is hard to view her as merely someone who lent money, raising suspicions of a 'lenient investigation'."

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is announcing his intention to resign on the afternoon of March 4 in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, while serving as Prosecutor General.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim said, "I don't know if it is appropriate to make statements like 'My mother-in-law has never caused even a single 10-won damage to anyone' while being indicted and on trial for such a serious crime," continuing his criticism aimed at former Prosecutor General Yoon.

He added, "This is even more problematic if the person intends to become a presidential candidate, and considering he was the Prosecutor General just a few months ago," and questioned, "If the immediate past Prosecutor General claims the prosecution's investigation is false, who can trust the prosecution's investigation?"

Kim also mocked media reports related to former Prosecutor General Yoon, saying, "Certain media outlets act like AI, automatically publishing rebuttal articles on behalf of Yoon," and added, "This active service by the media is noticeable. If they are not media affiliated with the Yoon Seok-yeol campaign, I ask for the same level of 'kind service' for candidates from other parties as well."

Earlier, former Prosecutor General Yoon reportedly told opposition lawmakers, "Although my mother-in-law was defrauded, she has never caused even a single 10-won damage to anyone," and said, "If I had any weaknesses, I would not have even considered starting a political career."

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