Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae Resigned Foreseeing Indictment Cancellations, Claims Opposition Leader Lee Jun-seok

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the New Reform Party, asserted that Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's resignation was a strategic move to preemptively escape impending indictment cancellations. Lee claimed on Facebook that Choo submitted his resignation after facing the prospect of the ruling party abolishing the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights.

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He took off his robes because he saw the trajectory of indictment cancellation.

"The trajectory of canceling indictments is already visible," Lee stated, interpreting Choo's resignation as an attempt to step down before being caught in such a situation. He further drew a historical parallel, comparing the situation to a king whose most loyal minister resigns in opposition, a scenario Lee suggested history would record as tyrannical.

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The trajectory of taking away investigative powers and then canceling indictments is already visible.

Reports indicate that Choo recently offered his resignation to President Lee. This move is widely believed to be motivated by the Democratic Party's recent decision to make the prohibition of prosecutors' direct investigations a party platform. This would allow Choo to voice his opinions more freely. However, President Lee is reportedly trying to persuade him to stay until the establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency.

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It is to step down first before that chain is completed.