Yoon Suk-yeol: "As a human being, I will uphold what must be upheld to President Moon Jae-in... The comrade spirit of 586 is excessive"

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is meeting with students on the afternoon of the 6th at KAIST located in Eoeun-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, discussing opinions on the nuclear phase-out policy. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim So-young] Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol stated, "I believe I have upheld what needed to be upheld both as a public official and as a human being regarding the president."

On the 12th, in an interview with Channel A's 'News A,' Yoon responded to the host's question, "What are your feelings toward (President Moon Jae-in)?" with this statement.

He said, "All public officials, especially those in judicial and quasi-judicial institutions, must serve the law and the will of the people rather than the appointing authority from the moment they are appointed," adding, "I think there should be some human trust between the appointing authority and the appointed public official."

He continued, addressing the current administration including the '586 generation,' "I pay respect to those who endured hardships during harsh times and worked for democratization," but also pointed out, "There is an excessive sense of comradeship. I hope they maintain consistency so that their positions do not contradict reality."

When asked, "If you become president, will you pardon former presidents?" he replied, "The reason the constitution grants the president the power of pardon is to achieve national unity," and added, "If I believe it is necessary for national unity, I think it is a decision the president must make."

Regarding his recent meeting with Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, he said, "I felt a lot of human charm and developed a favorable impression," and when asked if there would be any problem working together for regime change with Lee, he answered, "No." About his meeting with former Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in, he said, "I will meet and listen to him whenever the time is appropriate." However, he did not mention any specific plans or timing for joining the party.

Regarding the negative attacks following his candidacy announcement, he said, "I fully expected them," and added, "Although it is uncomfortable for my family, since I have decided to work for the people, I have nothing more to say except that the law and principles must be applied fairly and equally to everyone without exception."

On the criminal complaint filed against an MBC reporter suspected of impersonating a police officer while investigating allegations about his wife Kim Geon-hee's thesis, he explained, "This was a judgment that such investigative methods must never happen again, beyond a personal issue, so it could not be overlooked."

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