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| Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, the leading presidential contender of the main opposition People Power Party, speaks during a press conference held at the party’s regional branch in Daegu, Saturday. Yonhap |
By Jung Da-min
Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, the leading presidential contender of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), is facing a crisis in his bid for the presidency, after a special body that investigates scandals involving high-ranking officials began looking into allegations that he abused his power as head of the prosecution.
The scandal surfaced earlier this month in media reports that stated Yoon, as top prosecutor, ordered aides to hand over documents to PPP lawmakers ahead of the general election in April last year, for them to use in filing criminal complaints against several liberal ruling party figures.
At the time, Yoon often made headlines for colliding with then-Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and other members of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) as he was at odds with the Moon Jae-in government’s so-called prosecutorial reform policies. Yoon’s confrontation with the DPK boosted his popularity among those wanting a change of government, as they saw him as an alternative to the current ruling bloc in the next presidential election.
The scandal has developed into a major flash point of conflict between the PPP and the ruling bloc, especially after the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) announced last Friday that it was investigating the allegations against Yoon and Son Jun-sung, then chief of investigative information policy at the Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office.
On Wednesday, Yoon held a press conference at the National Assembly and called the allegation ― raised by an anonymous informant and reported by an internet-based news outlet ― false. But he failed to clearly refute the allegation and some observers say he did more harm than good to his public image by making inappropriate remarks and displaying an overbearing manner. His remarks during the press conference, which implied that stories produced by small news websites other than what he called “major” media were untrustworthy, drew criticism from the media and other politicians.
Regarding the CIO investigating Yoon, the PPP said the state body was unjustly using its power to intervene in the presidential election.
PPP spokesman Rep. Kang Min-kuk said Sunday in a commentary that the CIO illegally searched the office of Rep. Kim Woong, a PPP lawmaker who is also purportedly involved in the scandal, upon launching its investigation, while it has been delaying carrying out investigations into ruling party figures allegedly involved in corruption. The CIO’s search of Kim’s office at the National Assembly last Friday was halted amid protests by PPP members, including Chairman Lee Jun-seok.
“The CIO illegally searched the office of an opposition lawmaker, who is merely a witness, without his permission and only a day after it launched its investigation into the case,” Kang said.
“Furthermore, it seems that the prosecution could also launch a separate investigation into the matter as the justice minister, who is also a member of the ruling party, said it was important for the prosecution and the CIO to cooperate closely in investigating the case. Just like a hunter who has caught his prey, investigative agencies are rushing to a case where allegations have not been specified.”
Ex-top prosecutor’s presidential bid in crisis over power abuse allegation
Source: Buhay Kapa PH
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