Joo Ho-young: "Former presidents cannot have privileges... Moon must respond to written investigation"

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is delivering opening remarks at the National Assembly's audit countermeasure meeting held on the 30th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lee Hyun-joo] Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, demanded that former President Moon Jae-in respond to the written investigation regarding the killing of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official, stating, "A former president cannot have special privileges."

On the morning of the 4th, at a National Assembly audit countermeasure meeting, Floor Leader Joo said, "If a national agency needs to ask questions and conduct investigations according to the law, it should rightfully do so, and all citizens of the Republic of Korea are equal before the law."

He added, "Rather, seeing the surprised reaction and anger over being called 'rude,' I thought there must be many issues with the killing of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official," and said, "If there were no problems, you could just answer as it is, so I don't understand why there is such an overreaction."

Floor Leader Joo said, "There was more than six hours while the person was alive to take action, so asking and investigating how the Presidential Office responded is the right of the people, and the person who held that position has the duty to answer," adding, "Previous presidents also responded to all questions from the Board of Audit and Inspection and even underwent investigations, so I cannot help but ask if you are requesting special privileges for former President Moon Jae-in."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Policy Committee Chairman Sung Il-jong also pointed out, "According to Article 69 of the Constitution, the president swears upon inauguration to uphold the Constitution, protect the nation, and strive to promote the freedom and welfare of the people. Former President Moon also took such an oath," adding, "Requesting a written investigation from the Board of Audit and Inspection on how President Moon judged and acted during the killing of the West Sea official is a legitimate procedure."

He continued, "If it were ordinary citizens, responding to an audit like this would be unimaginable," and asked, "The Republic of Korea is a country that even impeaches sitting presidents. Is former President Moon the only sacred cow?"

He referred to former President Moon’s visit to Paengmok Port during his presidential candidacy shortly after impeachment, where he wrote "Sorry. Thank you." in the guestbook, and demanded, "Why are you so harsh toward the West Sea official who was killed? If you acted properly as a former president, face the investigation confidently."

Secretary-General Kim Seok-ki also said, "Calling a lawful investigation 'rude' is nonsense," and added, "I thought it was extremely disrespectful to the bereaved families, our citizens."

He said, "Especially, it was incomprehensible that the person who mercilessly sent two former presidents to prison would call even a written investigation rude," and criticized, "You must sincerely cooperate with the Board of Audit and Inspection to reveal the truth about why our citizens had to suffer an unjust death."

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