Democratic Party on Prosecutor and Police Raids: "Commandless Command Investigation... Has Blatant Suspicion Begun?"

by Park Joonyi

Published 05 Apr.2022 14:57(KST)

Updated 05 Apr.2022 15:58(KST)

"Worried About Public Security and National Affairs for 5 Years"

Yun Hojung, Co-Chairman of the Emergency Response Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a greeting at the 2nd Central Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 1st. Photo by Yoon Dongju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Yoon Ho-jung, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, recently criticized the prosecution and police for conducting separate raids on the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Gyeonggi Provincial Government, calling their recent investigative behavior "truly unbearable to witness."

On the 5th, at a Democratic Party members' meeting, Chairman Yoon stated, "I suspect that the investigative agencies are so preoccupied with watching President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's moves that they are conducting politically motivated investigations without any official orders."

He continued, "Last week, the prosecution suddenly raided the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and yesterday the police raided the Gyeonggi Provincial Government," pointing out, "Isn't this the beginning of oppression against the previous administration that cared for the people after the presidential election and blatant suspicion against political competitors?"

He expressed concern, saying, "I worry about what kind of public security governance will be carried out over the next five years," adding, "When investigative agencies serve power instead of the people, trust will plummet, and the public will never tolerate lenient investigations for the family of the living power, the president-elect, while retaliating against competitors."

He also said, "After today's plenary session adjourns, I hope the party discusses countermeasures at the party level regarding political reform, media reform, and condemnation of investigative agencies including prosecution reform."

Earlier, the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, investigating allegations of a personnel blacklist at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, raided eight locations including power subsidiaries and affiliated public institutions on the 28th of last month. Subsequently, the police conducted a raid on the Gyeonggi Provincial Government on the 4th in connection with allegations of misuse of corporate cards by Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of former Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung.