[Full Text] Choo Mi-ae: "As the top supervisor of prosecution affairs, I will complete prosecution reform"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] On the 16th, Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae stated, "The prosecution will firmly establish itself as a public institution prosecuting criminals to ensure the proper realization of the state's criminal punishment authority." She also reiterated, "I will complete the prosecution reform."

At a joint briefing with related ministers on the so-called 'Three Laws for Reforming Power Institutions' held at the Government Seoul Office in the afternoon, Minister Choo said, "(The prosecution) will faithfully perform its original role as a human rights protector controlling the legality of investigative procedures to prevent abuse of investigative authority or human rights violations."

Minister Choo added, "We will make every effort to prepare for the implementation so that the prosecution can successfully find its original role through prosecution reform and adjustment of investigative authority," and said, "From now on, it will move forward as the 'people's prosecution,' not the 'prosecution for the prosecution.'"

Minister Choo also promised, "As the supreme supervisor of prosecution affairs, I pledge to do my best to complete the mission of prosecution reform that has long been unresolved and to help the prosecution become a fair institution trusted by the people."

The following is the full briefing

Dear respected citizens! This is the Minister of Justice.

On January 1, 2021, we stand on the brink of a historic paradigm shift in the criminal justice system.

With the inauguration of a new government through the Candlelight Revolution, we promised to reform the prosecution according to the democratic principles of checks and balances, transforming it into 'the prosecution of the people and for the people.'

To keep this promise, the Ministry of Justice has devoted itself to revising laws related to investigative authority reform and the subordinate laws concretizing them, thereby legislating tangible achievements of prosecution reform.

Furthermore, the prosecution organization has been restructured to focus on criminal prosecution and trials rather than direct investigations, and human rights-friendly investigative methods have been institutionalized through the enactment of human rights protection investigation rules.

We deeply thank the citizens who have shown unwavering interest and support throughout the prosecution reform process.

Dear respected citizens!

The direction the prosecution will take within the new criminal justice system is clear.

The prosecution will firmly establish itself as a public institution prosecuting criminals to ensure the proper realization of the state's criminal punishment authority, and will faithfully perform its original role as a human rights protector controlling the legality of investigative procedures to prevent abuse of investigative authority or human rights violations.

Moreover, through mutual cooperation between the prosecution and police, we must ensure that citizens are safe from crime and that the criminal justice system operates efficiently and properly.

The Ministry of Justice will work closely with the prosecution to ensure that the reform of investigative authority and the restoration of the prosecution's original role proceed successfully and will make thorough preparations for implementation.

Through this, from now on, it will move forward as the 'people's prosecution,' focusing solely on the people and realizing the justice that the people desire, rather than as the 'prosecution for the prosecution.'

As the Minister of Justice, the supreme supervisor of prosecution affairs,

I promise to do my utmost to complete the mission of prosecution reform that has long been unresolved and to help the prosecution become a fair institution trusted by the people.

Thank you.

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