Choo Mi-ae: "Prosecutorial Reform Won't Change Overnight Just Because of Slogans"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae stated regarding prosecutorial reform that "Prosecutorial reform will not change overnight just by shouting slogans," indicating that a protracted struggle is expected.

On the 22nd, in response to a question from Choi Kang-wook, a member of the Open Democratic Party, during the government questioning session, Minister Choo said, "The public has seen the prosecution's true face, including indiscriminate abuse of investigative authority and unchecked powers."

She added, "Although it is called the 'living power,' it constantly makes gestures of courting future power," and said, "I believed the prosecution could also create power. It should return to being a prosecution for the people's livelihood, but a difficult struggle is expected."

Regarding the essence of prosecutorial reform, Minister Choo pointed out, "When the minister was a former prosecutor, the prosecution complied," and said, "Under democratic governments, ministers from backgrounds such as university professors, judges, and lawyers have come, emphasizing the public's perspective on the prosecution, human rights protection, and strengthening the inspection system for corrupt prosecutors, but the prosecution found these changes awkward."

Regarding Minister Choo's exercise of investigative command authority and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl's insistence on the professional investigative advisory group, she said, "It was probably a case of protecting one's own," and added, "The prosecutor in charge of the problematic case was on the same team, forming a so-called close relationship over a long period, so they could not sever ties regarding the investigation, which raised concerns about neutrality and the possibility of compromising investigative impartiality."

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