Active Prosecutor: "Prosecutorial Reform Failure, Abuse of Personnel, Command, and Inspection Authority"

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] A current prosecutor has strongly criticized the current government's prosecution reform as fundamentally failed. Prosecutor Lee Hwan-woo of Jeju District Prosecutors' Office, who posted a statement in November 2016 advocating for the arrest of then-President Park Geun-hye in relation to the prosecution's investigation of the 'State Affairs Manipulation Case,' posted an article titled "Prosecution Reform Has Failed" on the prosecution's internal network E-PROS on the morning of the 28th.

Prosecutor Lee stated, "I would like to share my thoughts as a frontline prosecutor on prosecution reform," and pointed out, "Despite many systemic changes such as the adjustment of investigative authority to be implemented from next year and the establishment of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office, I want to evaluate that prosecution reform has fundamentally failed."

He also targeted Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae. Prosecutor Lee criticized, "I feel that the authority over personnel appointments, command, and inspection is being abused without hiding the purpose and intentions," and added, "There is also a will of power to endlessly praise those who are favored and to suppress by any means those who are not."

He continued, "As a result, the most core philosophy and principle of prosecution reform?securing the political neutrality of the prosecution and preventing abuse of prosecutorial power?have been greatly damaged," and confessed, "If the philosophy of prosecution reform is not properly established, it is questionable how the political neutrality of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office's investigations can be guaranteed in the future."

Finally, Prosecutor Lee expressed concern, "I worry that in the distant future, unjust powers attempting to seize control of the prosecution might cunningly invoke many precedents set by the Minister of Justice in 2020," and stated, "They should bear legal and historical responsibility."

Meanwhile, Prosecutor Lee attracted attention by posting an article in 2016 during the State Affairs Manipulation scandal, arguing that an arrest warrant should be requested for former President Park. Recently, he also shed tears while explaining the crimes of Go Yoo-jung, who is accused of murdering her ex-husband and stepson, during the investigation and trial.

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