Joseong Eun: "Regret Toward Committee Member Kim Woong... But I Think It's an Appropriate Decision"

[Photo by Seong-eun Jo, Facebook capture]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] Jo Seong-eun, former vice chairman of the Future United Party's election committee, who reported the so-called 'accusation solicitation suspicion' involving former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, has expressed her position regarding this report.

Today (the 12th), Jo posted on her Facebook, "Due to about 400 calls daily and limited time for phone conversations with reporters, I would like to correct several parts of the reports." She first mentioned the protection requirements for whistleblowers, explaining, "In this case, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office is both an institution that could be involved in misconduct and the inspection agency for the fact-finding investigation, so it had to approach the submission of whistleblowing materials very sensitively."

She continued, "In this process, I decided to speak directly after confirming objective evaluations from legal reporters and others about Han Dong-su, the head of the inspection department responsible for the fact-finding investigation." She also revealed the reporting background, stating, "If introductions from others were involved in this approach, inevitably prejudice against me and the materials could have influenced the process," and "I removed any political elements, even the slightest, and contacted directly."

Regarding why she visited Han Dong-su, head of the inspection department, in person, Jo said, "Kim Oh-soo, the Prosecutor General, served as deputy minister during former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk's tenure, and Park Beom-gye, the Minister of Justice, is affiliated with the Democratic Party," adding, "This was to avoid political interpretations." On the whistleblower protection proposal, she responded, "Personal protection is secondary, and I did not want these materials to circulate in a third party without direct recognition by the investigative agency involved."

Mr. Jo Seong-eun.
Photo by Yonhap News

Jo emphasized that this report was her own decision. She said, "Some may want to claim that there is someone behind this case, suggesting that as a young, inexperienced, and immature woman, I could not 'dare' to judge and decide," but explained, "I have participated in multiple elections, served as an emergency committee member during the impeachment, and have experience in roles involving responsibility and decision-making, including setting the rules for the presidential primary."

She added, "I believe I made appropriate judgments and decisions within the scope of my role in this case," and "Regardless of political colors, I have maintained professional and personal trust with those I worked with for years." She also claimed, "My personal relationships with ruling party figures are not subject to controversy," stating, "They are long-time friends who have supported me rather than criticized me regardless of my political choices." This is interpreted as a remark conscious of the recent controversy regarding her friendship with Park Ji-won, the Director of the National Intelligence Service.

Jo also mentioned Representative Kim Woong. She revealed her feelings, saying, "When I first met Representative Kim, I sincerely told a certain lawyer, 'Kim Woong is a good person and will become someone great, so you should meet him.'" She continued, "It is very regrettable that he is under situations such as a search and seizure and personal tragedy," but added, "I believed that the most honest facts and truth emerging would be the most honest responsibility for both the election committee I belonged to and Representative Kim's side."

Jo stated, "The content of this case is serious and grave," and expressed understanding, saying, "Although I have personal disappointment and anger toward reporter Lee Jin-dong, who first reported this case, I think even if I were a reporter, I would have believed that such a serious case must be reported." She concluded her post by saying, "The truth will come out, and those responsible should be held accountable," and "I plan to appear directly in the media only within necessary parts to clarify the facts."

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