Kim Ki-sik "Strengthening the Minister of Justice's Command Authority Goes Against Prosecutorial Political Independence"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Former Financial Supervisory Service Chief Kim Ki-sik said on the 30th that he would not accept the recommendation by the Ministry of Justice and Prosecution Reform Committee to distribute the Prosecutor General's investigative authority to the High Prosecutors, calling it "an unprecedented and absurd proposal that is unheard of in any precedent."

Kim appeared on a radio program that day and stated, "Since 1994, I have participated in the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy's Judicial Monitoring Center to discuss prosecution reform, but this proposal contradicts the directions we have discussed so far."

He pointed out, "The key issue in prosecution reform is political independence. However, the committee's proposal strengthens the investigative authority of the Minister of Justice, a political appointee, which rather goes against political independence."

He added, "While excessive decentralization of authority is also important, the focus on weakening the Prosecutor General's power is inappropriate. As far as I know, this does not align with President Moon Jae-in's philosophy or thoughts, so I cannot understand how such a proposal was created."

Earlier, on the 27th, the committee announced a recommendation to abolish the Prosecutor General's specific investigative authority and distribute it to the High Prosecutors, while having the Minister of Justice directly supervise the High Prosecutors.

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