[Summary] Opposition on 'Choo-Yoon Joint Resignation Theory': "Why Should Yoon, Who Is Doing His Job Well, Resign?"

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the meeting of non-parliamentary city and provincial party chairpersons held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 1st.
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[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Regarding the emerging 'joint resignation theory' of Justice Minister Chu Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party on the 1st strongly criticized, saying, "The one who should step down is Minister Chu."

Joo Ho-young, the floor leader, said at the party's floor strategy meeting held that day, "Voluntary resignation literally means quitting on one's own, but for the Prime Minister to say that someone should voluntarily resign is a self-contradiction," and added, "The Prime Minister, who has the right to recommend dismissal of cabinet members, should recommend the dismissal of Minister Chu, whom the majority of the public considers wrong. Mentioning the voluntary resignation of Prosecutor General Yoon, who is properly investigating the living power according to the law, is an absurd idea."

He continued, "It seems they want to discard Prosecutor General Yoon now that the hunt is over, but the public will not tolerate it," and emphasized, "The court's injunction decision on the suspension of the Prosecutor General's duties, which will be made today and tomorrow, will be a touchstone to determine whether the rule of law is alive in the Republic of Korea."

There were also voices calling for President Moon to directly resolve the conflict between Minister Chu and Prosecutor General Yoon. Lee Jong-bae, the policy chief of the People Power Party, said at the meeting that day, "President Moon emphasized the attitude of 'putting the community first and oneself second' yesterday, but the one who shook the community's interests is none other than Minister Chu," and claimed, "What Minister Chu is actually doing is building an ironclad shield for regime corruption under the guise of prosecutorial reform, backed by the President."

He added, "Now Minister Chu is at the last moment to make a voluntary judgment," and urged, "Minister Chu should immediately withdraw the illegal disciplinary action and take due responsibility, and the President should take direct measures to resolve the situation instead of just using flowery words."

Seong Il-jong, a member of the People Power Party, also pointed out that Minister Chu should voluntarily resign. He appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that day and said, "Why should there be a joint resignation? It has always been noisy since Minister Chu came. And Prosecutor General Yoon investigated the living power."

He continued, "Joint resignation is a political judgment. Why should Prosecutor General Yoon, who is doing his job properly, resign? The one who should resign is Minister Chu," he said sharply.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun held an emergency press briefing at the Government Seoul Office on the afternoon of the 29th of last month to announce strengthened quarantine measures related to the third wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
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Ha Tae-kyung, also from the same party, sarcastically said on his Facebook, "President Moon, who had been hiding behind Minister Chu, finally came out and said a word about 'putting the community first and oneself second,'" and added, "It seems like a message to the prosecution, but isn't the one who should really hear the lecture about 'putting the community first and oneself second' President Moon himself, who has a debt of gratitude to former Justice Minister Cho Kuk?"

He emphasized, "To create a society where the spirit of 'putting the community first and oneself second' is alive, Minister Chu should be dismissed, and Prosecutor General Yoon should be allowed to keep his convictions and investigate the living power."

Earlier, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun reportedly mentioned the need for the joint resignation of Minister Chu and Prosecutor General Yoon to President Moon Jae-in on the 30th of last month.

At the weekly meeting held that day, Prime Minister Chung reportedly said, "The disciplinary issue of Prosecutor General Yoon is becoming a big burden on state administration. Regardless of the disciplinary procedure, since he has brought about a situation where he cannot perform his duties, voluntary resignation is inevitable."

After the meeting, President Moon said at the afternoon senior secretaries and aides meeting, "We must pioneer an era of upheaval with the attitude of putting the community's interests before the group's interests," and added, "Even if there is pain and difficulty, we must boldly part with the old through reform and innovation."

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