Gominjeong on Yoon's 'Deep-rooted Corruption Investigation' Remark: "Could Reenact the 2009 Tragedy"

Yoon's 'Deep-rooted Corruption Investigation' Remark... Ruling Party Lawmakers Say "Must Apologize to the People"

Ko Min-jung, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Go Minjung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, directly criticized Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, regarding his remarks on 'investigating deep-rooted evils,' saying, "Candidate Yoon could reenact the tragedy of 2009." This appears to be an indirect reference to the passing of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun in 2009.

On the 10th, Go opened her post on Facebook by saying, "As a member of the 21st National Assembly, I stood for the first time at a press conference with lawmakers from the Moon Jae-in Blue House faction."

She said, "These were people who did their best in their respective positions to connect the government, the party, and the people; people who repeatedly pondered what should be done whenever a major issue arose; people who were always strict with themselves, worried about being seen as factional; people who vowed never to lose our precious ones again; people who fought fiercely to ensure a successful president and government. Now, that final mission is just ahead."

She continued, "That mission is not only to protect the Moon Jae-in administration but to set the principles of the Republic of Korea straight and uphold the spirit of democracy," adding, "Candidate Yoon has made what was vaguely visible crystal clear."

Go also said, "It is not too late. Please unite your hearts. We will fight fiercely. Please hold our hands beside us," attaching the hashtags '#ItEndsOnlyWhenItEnds. #WeMustWinToProtect.'

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is delivering a greeting at the launch ceremony of the "Fair Taxation, Fair Country - Together with Tax Accountants!" Tax Accountant Dream Volunteer Group held on the afternoon of the 10th at EL Tower in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Earlier, Go and 20 other lawmakers from the Blue House faction held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "Candidate Yoon's reckless remarks are a pledge to turn Korea into a 'prosecutorial state.'"

They argued, "This is unprecedented in Korean political history. He did not specify what constitutes deep-rooted evils. There is no reason given for investigating a former president," adding, "It is merely a twisted desire to create a prosecutorial state and the sole basis and justification for 'political retaliation' is 'disliking the Moon Jae-in administration.'"

They also mentioned former President Roh, saying, "Just a few days ago, with the same mouth that spoke of the 'Roh Moo-hyun spirit,' he declared political retaliation against President Moon," emphasizing, "We hope he will bow and apologize to the people now."

Meanwhile, in an interview with JoongAng Ilbo released on the 9th, Candidate Yoon responded to the question, "If elected, will you investigate the deep-rooted evils of the previous administration?" by saying, "Yes, I will," and added, "Those who committed illegal acts and corruption during the Moon Jae-in administration must be punished accordingly by law and system."

In response, President Moon expressed his position, saying, "I strongly express anger at the baseless labeling of the current government as a target of deep-rooted evil investigations and illegal acts, and demand an apology."

Candidate Yoon replied to President Moon's demand for an apology, saying, "In my dictionary, there is no such word as political retaliation," and added, "President Moon has always emphasized impartial investigations based on law and principles. In that respect, President Moon and I share the same view."

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