Political Tensions Escalate Over Prosecution’s Decision
The Democratic Party of Korea has strongly criticized the internal prosecution’s backlash against the decision to abandon the appeal in the Daejang-dong case, labeling it as an “insubordination” and a “coup” by pro-Yoon Suk-yeol prosecutors. The party has called on the Ministry of Justice to conduct an inspection into the matter. Meanwhile, the People Power Party has taken a different stance, emphasizing that the core issue is whether higher-ups, including the presidential office, were involved in any form of intervention.
At a Supreme Council meeting, Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae expressed his concerns about the collective backlash from prosecutors. He stated, “This is an insubordination against the people’s order to uphold democracy, the Constitution, and the liquidation of insurrection.” He added, “We cannot tolerate this at all. The party will take decisive action.” The Democratic Party has decided to pursue all available means, including a national investigation, a permanent special counsel, and hearings, regarding the Daejang-dong and inter-Korean remittance cases, which they claim were “fabricated prosecutions.”
Floor leader Kim Byung-kee also commented on the situation, calling the actions of pro-Yoon political prosecutors “coup-like insubordination.” He remarked, “Those who cannot utter a word against a government that suits their tastes or is coercive are now acting as if they are something.” Supreme Council member Jeon Hyun-hee urged the Ministry of Justice to immediately conduct an inspection of political prosecutors under a zero-tolerance principle. Meanwhile, Supreme Council member Kim Byeong-joo described the prosecutors as “insane,” criticizing their nitpicking of the decision to abandon the Daejang-dong appeal. The Democratic Party appears to have shifted its framing from the previous day to block political repercussions, asserting that the pro-Yoon prosecutors who are protesting are the real problem since the prosecution’s abandonment of the appeal was justified.
People Power Party’s Response
The People Power Party has taken a more direct approach, with leader Jang Dong-hyeok stating at a Supreme Council meeting held at the Chungcheongbuk-do Party Office in Cheongju that “(The decision to abandon the appeal) is something only President Lee Jae-myung can do.” He added, “It is a clear abuse of authority and grounds for impeachment.” Floor leader Song Eon-seok further claimed that circumstances are emerging indicating there was intervention by higher-ups beyond external pressure at the level of the justice minister. He suggested that President Lee Jae-myung’s desire is not a five-year suspension of trials but the complete eradication of trials, a so-called “trial deletion.”
The People Power Party is demanding a national investigation and urgent inquiries related to this incident. Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho is scheduled to attend the budget review by the Legislative and Judiciary Committee on the 12th and the non-economic sector reviews by the Budget and Accounts Committee from the 12th to the 13th, during which related inquiries from lawmakers of both parties are expected. However, the Democratic Party has responded passively to the People Power Party’s demand to hold an urgent inquiry at the Legislative and Judiciary Committee.
Choo Mi-ae, the chairperson of the Legislative and Judiciary Committee, announced through a notice that the meeting should be held in the afternoon of the 11th, citing a workshop for the party’s national regional committee chairs. Members of the People Power Party from the Legislative and Judiciary Committee criticized this move, stating, “They are planning to hold a hollow meeting that is merely for show.”
Ongoing Political Struggles
As tensions continue to rise between the two major political parties, the situation highlights the deepening divide in South Korean politics. The Democratic Party’s accusations of insubordination and coup-like behavior by prosecutors contrast sharply with the People Power Party’s focus on potential high-level interventions. Both sides are pushing for investigations and accountability, but their approaches reflect differing priorities and strategies.
The upcoming meetings and inquiries will likely play a crucial role in shaping the narrative around the Daejang-dong case and the broader implications for the country’s judicial system. With the public closely watching, the outcome of these discussions could have significant consequences for the political landscape in South Korea.