Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol Emphasizes 'Direction of Prosecution Reform' in New Deputy Prosecutors' Lecture... "Fair Prosecution, Prosecution for the People"

Yoon Seok-yeol, Prosecutor General. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] On the 9th, Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol emphasized in a lecture to newly appointed deputy prosecutors at the Jincheon main campus of the Judicial Research and Training Institute that "the direction of prosecutorial reform should be a 'fair' prosecution and a 'people-centered' prosecution," adding that "'fair' prosecution and 'people-centered' prosecution are two sides of the same coin."

On the afternoon of the same day, at the Judicial Research and Training Institute in Jincheon, Chungbuk, Yoon delivered a lecture on the direction of prosecutorial reform to 14 newly appointed deputy prosecutors attending the 'Deputy Prosecutor Leadership Course.'

This message is interpreted as implying that the current government's direction for prosecutorial reform has deviated from its essence, amid increasing pressure from Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae, who has raised issues regarding investigations and inspections of her close associates and recently even the expenditure of special activity funds, and with the ruling party discussing the Prosecutor General's position.

According to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Yoon first lectured the new deputy prosecutors on the 'role of the deputy prosecutor' that day.

He emphasized, "The deputy prosecutor is the most demanding position among prosecutorial assignments and must perform the role of meticulously managing administrative and prosecutorial affairs like a traditional mother figure in office operations," adding, "The deputy prosecutor holds a position that simultaneously fulfills the roles of 'staff officer' and 'commander,' serving as a buffer between superiors and subordinates."

He continued, "Therefore, the ability to persuade is the most important, and essential elements of this persuasion ability are 'principle' and 'patience.'"

Thereafter, Yoon expressed his usual conviction about prosecutorial reform, stating, "The direction of prosecutorial reform should be a 'fair' prosecution and a 'people-centered' prosecution."

He explained, "A fair prosecution means guaranteeing fair opportunities between parties in the criminal justice process," including "party autonomy, an investigation structure centered on trials, and thorough protection of defense rights."

He added, "A people-centered prosecution means always keeping in mind that the people are the owners of the prosecution," reiterating, "'Fair' prosecution and 'people-centered' prosecution are two sides of the same coin."

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