Choo Mi-ae Directly Criticizes Lee Nak-yeon: "You Promised Prosecution Reform... No Sincerity"

Former Minister of Justice and Democratic Party presidential candidate Choo Mi-ae is answering questions from reporters after holding a press conference to announce her first pledge, 'Land Rent Reform,' at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 23rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Choyoung] Former Minister of Justice and Democratic Party presidential candidate Chu Mi-ae strongly criticized fellow party contenders former leader Lee Nak-yeon and former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on the 26th regarding the promotion of prosecution and media reform.

On the day, Chu appeared on the YouTube channel 'Park Siyoung TV' and targeted Lee, who had mentioned prosecution and media reform during his tenure as party leader but took a stance accepting handing over the relevant standing committee to the opposition, saying, "Lee should have said that (the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee) should not be given to the opposition to show sincerity."

She said, "The Democratic Party announced in February that it would legislate the separation of prosecution investigation and indictment, and both Lee and then Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chairman Yoon Ho-jung repeatedly promised this," adding, "Now Lee should not say he supports it."

Regarding the situation at the time, she said, "Before the April by-elections, there was a sense of not doing it because it would negatively affect the election," and added, "After losing the by-elections, they blamed Cho Kuk and me, which made me furious."

Earlier, Lee showed a different stance from other party candidates in an interview with CBS Radio regarding the agreement between the ruling and opposition parties to hand over the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee for the second half of the 21st National Assembly to the opposition, saying, "I think the party leadership made the decision considering various factors. The agreement between the ruling and opposition parties needs to be respected."

Former Minister Chu also pointed out, "During my time as Minister of Justice, I proposed an amendment to the Media Arbitration Act to impose punitive damages up to 500%, but it did not pass the Cabinet meeting," and criticized, "Former Prime Minister Chung should have taken action but did not."

She added, "Although a member of the National Assembly can propose a bill, now even if they try, if the Legislation and Judiciary Committee chairman does not submit it, it cannot be done."

On the 25th, the Democratic Party agreed to redistribute standing committee chair positions, including handing over the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee for the second half of the 21st National Assembly to the People Power Party. Within the Democratic Party, concerns are emerging that reform legislation such as prosecution and media reform has become practically difficult.

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