Ministry of Justice Launches 'Reform Legislation Implementation Task Force'... Expected to Accelerate Follow-up Measures on Prosecution Reform

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Ministry of Justice announced that it will launch the 'Reform Legislation Implementation Task Force.' The task force will be led by the Deputy Minister of Justice.

Following the recent passage of bills in the National Assembly regarding the adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and police, and the establishment of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gong-su-cheo), the Ministry of Justice appears to be accelerating follow-up measures.

On the 15th, the Ministry of Justice stated in a press release, "We will open a new era of human rights judiciary for the people," and announced the formation of the Reform Legislation Task Force. It explained the background of its launch by saying, "With the passage of the Gong-su-cheo Act and laws related to the adjustment of investigative authority, the institutional framework for establishing 'the people's prosecution system through checks and balances,' a core national agenda of President Moon Jae-in, has been established. The investigation of high-ranking officials will shift from a monopoly structure to a competitive structure, and the command and supervision relationships between investigative agencies will change to cooperative relationships, marking a revolutionary transition."

It added, "The prosecution will change its role from focusing on direct investigations to protecting human rights, conducting careful prosecutions, and maintaining faithful public prosecutions," and emphasized, "We must return to the fundamental principle of thinking from the perspective of the people who granted the authority, focusing on the people."

According to the Ministry of Justice, the 'Investigation Authority Adjustment Legislation Revision Promotion Team,' led by the Director of the Prosecution Bureau, and the 'Gong-su-cheo Launch Preparation Team,' led by the Director of the Legal Affairs Office, will be placed under the Reform Legislation Implementation Task Force.

The Ministry of Justice evaluated the investigation authority adjustment bill by saying, "It disperses investigative authority and enables the prosecution and police to work democratically for the people," and added, "Devices have been created for the two agencies to check and balance each other, ultimately establishing a foundation that can faithfully protect the human rights and interests of the people." Regarding Gong-su-cheo, it said, "It represents checks and balances on power institutions," and "With the possibility of investigations without sanctuary, the capacity to respond to corruption crimes will be strengthened."

The Ministry of Justice stated, "The Reform Legislation Implementation Task Force will fully collect opinions from the prosecution and police regarding follow-up measures of the bills and actively cooperate," and "We will make every effort to ensure that the related laws are effectively implemented."

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