Cho Kuk "Separation of Investigation and Prosecution Authorities, a Very Meaningful Attempt"

Photo by Jo Guk, former Minister of Justice, Facebook capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk welcomed the Ministry of Justice's plan to separate the investigation and prosecution authorities within the prosecution as a "very meaningful attempt."

On the 11th, immediately after the first official press conference held following the inauguration of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, former Minister Cho posted on Facebook, saying, "The investigative authority adjustment bill, which grants the police primary authority to conclude investigations and recognizes the prosecution's direct investigative authority within a certain scope, has passed the fast track, but the ultimate goal is to divide investigations to the police and prosecutions to the prosecution."

He added, "According to the Democratic Party's presidential election policy manifesto announced in April 2017, 'The prosecution, in principle, holds secondary and supplementary investigative authority along with the right to prosecute and maintain public prosecution,' which is a promise to the public."

Former Minister Cho stated, "Even before reaching this ultimate goal, organizationally separating the investigation and prosecution authorities within the prosecution for internal control would be a very meaningful attempt," and added, "This seems possible without legal amendments. I applaud Minister Choo Mi-ae."

On the afternoon of the 11th, Minister Choo held her first press conference since her inauguration at the Government Complex Gwacheon and announced that she would consider institutional improvements to separate the subjects of investigation and prosecution decisions within the prosecution. Minister Choo said, "I will consider institutional improvements to differentiate the subjects of investigation and prosecution decisions within the prosecution," and added, "I think it is possible to pilot this at the local prosecution office level even before legal amendments."

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