[2020 National Audit] Chief of Court Administration "Never Opposed the Amendment to the Public Corruption Investigation Office Act"

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Cho Jae-yeon, head of the Court Administration Office, stated that "the Court Administration Office has never explicitly opposed the amendment to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Public Officials Corruption Investigation Office, Gongu-cheo) Act."

On the 7th, during the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee audit, Cho explained that the Court Administration Office's recent review opinion on the Gongu-cheo Act, submitted to the National Assembly, was "an opinion indicating that there are parts that need supplementary review."

Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "It seems that the Court Administration Office submitted additional review opinions on nine issues, but it was reported that the court opposes it," and argued that the Court Administration Office should request a correction of the report.

Previously, the Court Administration Office had responded with a review opinion stating that "additional review" was necessary regarding the increase in investigators and the Gongu-cheo chief's authority to request cooperation in investigations in the amendment to the Gongu-cheo Act.

Cho explained, "When the National Assembly requests opinions during the legislative process, we strive to send review opinions regardless of party lines," and said that the review opinion on the Gongu-cheo Act amendment was sent in the same context. Regarding the request for correction of the report, he replied, "It is difficult for the judiciary to apply for a correction request with an opinion, but we have explained our position to media organizations through the Public Relations Office."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Korea has set a policy to process the amendment within the audit period if the People Power Party delays the formation of the Gongu-cheo chief candidate recommendation committee further. The amendment to the Gongu-cheo Act, which was proposed to allow the formation of the candidate recommendation committee without opposition party recommendations, has been submitted to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee subcommittee but no schedule has been set. It is known that they are considering designating the review start date as a measure.

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