Prosecutor's Willingness to Improve Abuse of Investigation Rights... Chu Mi-ae Holds Existing Investigation Methods Accountable

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The high-level personnel reshuffle in the prosecution carried out on the afternoon of the 8th is analyzed to reflect Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's determination to improve the anti-human rights investigation practices. The aim is to remove the stagnant elements that have repeated chronic investigation practices such as separate investigations and indiscriminate warrant requests, and to revitalize the prosecution atmosphere with new personnel. It is also evaluated as a personnel move aligned with the current government's prosecution reform direction, which emphasizes human rights and drastically reduces prosecutorial powers.

The purpose of this personnel reshuffle was actually hinted at during the appointment ceremony of the Minister of Justice held at the Blue House on the 2nd. At that time, Minister Choo sent a warning message to the prosecution using the expression "stabbing multiple times with a knife." She said, "A skilled doctor accurately diagnoses and properly removes the diseased part," adding, "The prosecution does not gain trust by recklessly stabbing while putting human rights aside and obtaining the desired results."

Minister Choo's awareness of the problem of "abuse of investigative authority" was concretized by sending Han Dong-hoon, head of the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office who led the investigations into the Cho Kuk family and the Yoo Jae-soo supervision cover-up case, to the position of Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Busan High Prosecutors' Office. This can be seen as Minister Choo holding Han responsible for his investigative methods and results. Similarly, Park Chan-ho, head of the Public Investigation Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office who led the investigation into the Blue House's alleged interference in the Ulsan mayoral election, was transferred to be the Chief Prosecutor of Jeju District Prosecutors' Office. Bae Sung-beom, chief prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office who oversaw the related cases, moved to the position of head of the Judicial Research and Training Institute. Although this is a promotion to a high prosecutor level, it is a position far removed from investigations.

On the 8th, the Ministry of Justice explained the personnel changes by stating that they "sought to revitalize the organization through personnel aligned with human rights, people's livelihood, and the rule of law." Interpreted conversely, this implies that the current investigation leadership has not conducted investigations in line with these values. Additionally, the Ministry of Justice said it "reorganized the system anew to complete prosecution reform for the people," which can also be interpreted as meaning that the current prosecution has inadequately responded to prosecution reform.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.