Jeong Cheongrae: "Prosecutors' Protest Against 'No Appeal in Daejang-dong Case' Is Insubordination... A Frightened Dog Barks the Loudest"

Jeong Cheongrae: "The Prosecution Remained Silent on Cases Involving President Yoon and His Wife"
"Is There Any Evidence in the Daejang-dong Case?... Lee Is Innocent"

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, strongly criticized the prosecution for protesting the decision to refrain from appealing the Daejang-dong development corruption case, calling it "insubordination and a clear case of undermining the national order." He added, "A frightened dog always barks the loudest." The Democratic Party emphasized its determination to root out politically motivated prosecutors by mobilizing all available means, including a parliamentary investigation and hearings.

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th. 2025.11.12 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At the Supreme Council meeting of the Democratic Party held at the National Assembly in Yeouido on November 12, Jeong stated, "Chief prosecutors and district prosecutors across the country have collectively opposed the decision to refrain from appealing the Daejang-dong case. This is insubordination and a clear case of undermining the national order." He added, "They must be severely punished."

Jeong raised his voice in criticizing the prosecution. Referring to the investigation into stock price manipulation involving Kim Keonhee, the First Lady, the luxury bag bribery allegations, and the case of former President Yoon Sukyeol’s release from detention, he pointed out, "Why were you silent then? Shouldn't you have spoken out as you are now?"

He continued, "If you look at the origin of the Daejang-dong case, isn't it about then-Seongnam Mayor Lee Jaemyung allegedly favoring developers and receiving bribes and money? Has there been any evidence that Mayor Lee received even a single 1,000-won bill?" Jeong asserted, "Then, isn't President Lee innocent? He was politically chosen and evaluated by the people in the last presidential election."

Jeong further argued, "The prosecution claims that, as a result, criminals will receive billions and that forfeiture will be impossible, but I believe this is political agitation. Even after investigating President Lee as if he had received bribes, no bribe has been found. Are you starting over again?" He declared, "I will never tolerate such fabricated agitation."

He added, "The reason some politically motivated prosecutors are causing a commotion is because they are afraid that evidence fabrication, unrelated investigations, and intimidation tactics will be exposed. A frightened dog always barks the loudest."

He continued, "Cases that were fabricated and prosecuted should have their indictments withdrawn, and those responsible must be thoroughly investigated and severely punished. The Democratic Party will utilize all possible means, including a parliamentary investigation, hearings, and a special prosecutor, to address this issue."

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on November 12, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

In his closing remarks, Jeong addressed Minister of Justice Jeong Sungho, saying, "Upon looking into personnel measures, I found that prosecutors can only be transferred laterally. There are situations where personnel action cannot be taken due to retroactive provisions in the presidential enforcement decree. Please consider abolishing this and make a recommendation."

Chief spokesperson Park Suhyeon told reporters after the Supreme Council meeting, "Jeong requested that the current Prosecutor Disciplinary Act, which makes it impossible to dismiss prosecutors, be revised to allow for dismissal, or that the act be abolished altogether so that disciplinary dismissal can be carried out under the National Public Service Act. He instructed the party to respond at the highest possible level to this matter."

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