Yoon Seokyeol and Choi Jaehyung: "CIO Involved in 'Political Manipulation'... Will Join Forces for Change of Government"

Yoon Seokyeol, former Prosecutor General and preliminary candidate for the People Power Party presidential primary (right), and Choi Jaehyung, former Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, shake hands after discussing countermeasures against the possibility of political manipulation related to allegations of report solicitation on September 12 at the Glad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. 2021.9.12 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, reporter Lee Hyunju] Yoon Seokyeol, former Prosecutor General and presidential candidate for the People Power Party, and Choi Jaehyung, former Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, declared on September 12 that "the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) must never set a precedent for interfering in the presidential election," expressing their intention to work together for a change in government.

On this day, Yoon and Choi met at a hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. After the meeting, Yoon told reporters, "Choi expressed serious concerns about the political manipulation scandal," and added, "He warned that this is a grave act of election interference that puts democracy at risk."

Choi further stated, "The CIO's decision to book an opposition candidate as a suspect is an intolerable act of election interference, a violent abuse of power that endangers democracy and insults the voting public. In the cases of the Druking incident and the Ulsan mayoral election interference, the authorities dragged their feet, but when a pro-government civic group filed a complaint, the CIO immediately sprang into action. This is not political neutrality but active participation in a political scheme." He also emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into National Intelligence Service Director Park Jie-won's alleged suspicious meetings, stressing that the head of the nation's top intelligence agency, responsible for national security, must be held fully accountable without leaving any doubts unresolved.

Choi also warned, "If baseless political schemes aimed at suppressing the public's desire for a change in government continue, they will face resistance from the people. The unprecedented and unconstitutional search and seizure of lawmaker Kim Woong's office, even though he is only a reference witness, is unacceptable. The two of us will do our utmost to crush the administration's election interference and to fulfill the public's aspiration for a change in government."

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