[Law & Story] Choo Mi-ae's Noisy Return

Emergency Briefing on Disciplinary Request Against Yoon Suk-yeol Three Years Ago
Dramatic Return with Sharp Criticism of Moon Jae-in and Lee Nak-yeon
Lingering Criticism Over "Weakening Prosecutorial Power" During Her Tenure as Minister

Seokjin Choi, Legal Affairs Specialist Reporter.

On the evening of November 24, 2020, it was almost time to leave work. The Ministry of Justice announced an unscheduled emergency briefing. The location was the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong, Seoul, and it was set to take place in just over 30 minutes. However, there was no explanation of what would be announced or who would be delivering the briefing.

As reporters discussed whether to accept this unprecedented and one-sided notification, word spread that "the Minister has already departed." There was no other choice. It seemed clear that a major announcement was imminent, so the consensus was to attend and listen. Shortly afterward, Choo Mi-ae, who was then the Minister of Justice, appeared on the podium in front of the press room, her face flushed.

In a somewhat excited tone, she read from a prepared statement. It was the announcement of an order to suspend the duties of then-Prosecutor General Yoon Suk-yeol, as well as the filing of disciplinary action against him. That moment, which began with such commotion, later became the starting point for Choo's disgraceful dismissal and Yoon's journey from opposition presidential candidate to being elected President.

Now, former Minister Choo has returned. Once again, her reappearance is causing a stir. She made public the conversation she had with former President Moon Jae-in, who had trusted her with the ministerial post, just before her resignation. At the time, Choo was aggressively pushing for disciplinary action against President Yoon, placing a heavy burden on the administration.

It was clearly a dismissal, but former President Moon tried to uphold her dignity to the end, making efforts to protect her last shred of pride. However, in a recent broadcast appearance, Choo expressed her dissatisfaction, suggesting that Moon had forcibly removed her to empower Yoon, as if she alone had to complete prosecution reform. She also criticized former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yon, claiming that her resignation was effectively forced for the sake of the by-elections.

Seeing how former Minister Choo quickly became the center of the news after several years away, it seems that her ability to create controversy and draw attention-whether as minister or now-comes naturally to her. However, aside from her most fervent supporters, it is true that both the pro-Lee Jae-myung and non-Lee Jae-myung factions within the Democratic Party view her outspoken remarks and actions with discomfort. One senior party member even analyzed it as "noise marketing with the general election in mind."

During her tenure as minister, Choo disbanded the Securities Crime Joint Investigation Team, which had been conducting effective investigations, and merged the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office's narcotics division into the organized crime division. She also made it impossible to form special investigation teams without her approval. Prosecutors recognized for their investigative skills were sidelined, while those with high loyalty were promoted to key positions. She packaged these measures as prosecution reform, but was widely criticized, with reports suggesting her real goal was to weaken the prosecution's power.

These days, the spread of drug-laced beverages even in Daechi-dong’s private education district, rampant stock price manipulation schemes harming ordinary citizens, and gangsters brazenly parading through city centers are all, in no small part, attributed to Choo’s efforts to weaken prosecutorial power. Civil litigation is still ongoing regarding her responsibility for the outbreak of over 1,000 COVID-19 infections at Seoul Eastern Detention Center.

There is considerable criticism about her return to politics. The public is watching to see whether she can overcome these criticisms and what role she will play.

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