Supreme Prosecutor Yoon again demonstrates that he has abandoned all pretense of objective demeanor in law enforcement as he embraces the former Liberty Party Korea floor leader's campaign for reelection to the assembly on April 15. Complaints referred to the prosecution office for various unlawful acts or criminal offenses by Na and her family have languished under Yoon's stewardship. ( See previous blog entries on the corruption scandals surrounding Na and Yoon respectively). There is a reciprocal give and take between Yoon and Na over the years which served effectively to obstruct investigation or prosecution of either of them or their family members. There are each more committed to each other than ever for their political survival. Na had attempted to obstruct the fast track reform legislation that was a top priority of the democratic party and justice party with everything the far right could muster in terms of obstruction of legislative process in the National Assembly.
Na has criticized news reports describing suspicions of internal interference in investigations and prosecutions related to several business frauds in which Yoon's wife and mother in law were parties as "fake news." Relevant media sources such as MBC News warn of an improper and toxic relationship between the conservative press, and the prosecutor's office as a legacy of authoritarian practices on the right in South Korea. Na's public rebuttals on the campaign trail, whether in support of her own family or Yoon's, are regarded as unfounded and perfunctory.
If it weren't for the current health emergency measures in effect currently in South Korea due to the corona virus epidemic, there is little question that hundreds of thousands of South Koreans would manifest their disgust for Yoon's unprofessional conduct by demonstrating in Seoul, to demand his resignation, investigation and prosecution. Yoon is expected to be the first target of the new Office for Prosecution of Public Officials. Election outcomes on April 15 in the National Assembly will be regarded as a litmus test for public approval of prosecutions of corrupt individuals in government, to break the undue influence the prosecutor's office in both bringing prosecutions and burying investigations based upon political favoritism.
Update: April 11
Na's has brought legal action, against MBC News, seeking an injunction prohibiting any republication of reports that her husband's action, as a judge delaying the case brought against Yoon's mother-in-law by a former business partner, alleging fraud, perjury, and obstruction of justice, was legally baseless stonewalling, and political favoritism. The court denied Na's action, saying there was no legal basis for it, and that requests to suppress press reports of suspicious actions of public officials should be regarded with great caution. This is second lawsuit brought by Na, alleging defamation against herself or her husband that has been dismissed in the last month.
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