Cho Kuk "I Will Not Drink Alone... The Credit for Institutionalizing Power Reform Goes to the Candlelight Citizens"

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk expressed gratitude on the 13th, stating that the entire process of passing the amendment to the National Intelligence Service (NIS) Act through the National Assembly belongs to the candlelight citizens.

Former Minister Cho explained in a post on his Facebook that "At the end of last year, the investigation authority adjustment bill for the prosecution and police and the establishment bill for the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) passed the National Assembly, and in this December’s regular session, the amendment bills for the CIO Act, Police Act, and NIS Act were passed," adding, "With this, the Moon Jae-in administration’s reform plans for power institutions have all been legislated."

He recalled, "The reforms of the prosecution, police, and NIS were core promises of President Moon Jae-in’s election pledges and government tasks, and the decisive reason I accepted the position of Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs," and continued, "Since then, the Senior Secretary’s office created the blueprint for reforming the three power institutions through internal discussions, extensive communication, dialogue, and debates with various ministries and ruling party lawmakers. We put our utmost effort into it."

Former Minister Cho said, "Now, with the launch of the CIO, realization of the autonomous police system, establishment of the National Investigation Headquarters guaranteeing independent investigations, and after a three-year grace period, the NIS will be reborn as a purely intelligence agency," adding, "As a legal scholar, being deeply involved in designing such a system was a great 'fortune.'"

He continued, "Although the price of this 'fortune' was high, I deeply thank the lawmakers who supported the passage of the bills," emphasizing, "There is no doubt that the greatest credit for today’s achievement goes to the candlelight citizens."

He added, "If I were not in the position of a 'banished person (Yubaein)' who still has to face trials and is constantly attacked, I would have quietly shared drinks with those who worked on this project together. Today, I will drink a few glasses alone."

Finally, former Minister Cho stated, "Primarily, we aimed to achieve and experience the 'adjustment' of investigative authority between the prosecution and police, and then move on to the next stage of complete separation of investigation and prosecution. However, since the second half of last year, voices from the candlelight citizens have been rising, urging that the 'separation' should be achieved sooner," and requested, "I hope the ruling party in power will establish plans and schedules in advance."

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