Park Beom-gye: "We Will Create a Republic of Korea Where the 'Justice of Coexistence' Flows Like a River"

"Focusing on 'Legal Administration' That Supports People's Livelihoods"
"Prosecutorial Reform Has Only Taken One Step Forward"
"Organic Cooperation with the Corruption Investigation Office Based on a Check-and-Balance Approach"

Meeting with Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol... No Talk of Personnel Matters

Park Beom-gye, New Minister of Justice / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Park Beom-gye, the newly appointed Minister of Justice, said on the 1st, "I will do my utmost to create a Republic of Korea where the 'justice of coexistence' flows like a river, in accordance with the spirit of the times desired by the people."

At the inauguration ceremony held at the Government Complex Gwacheon on the same day, Minister Park stated, "The Ministry of Justice must focus on 'legal administration that supports the livelihood of the people' so that the Republic of Korea can overcome crises." He added, "For sustainable justice to take root in this land, 'justice of coexistence' is necessary," and explained, "Justice of coexistence can be realized through human rights protection, due process, and communication."

Minister Park emphasized, "Human rights are the most noble values that our society must uphold," and said, "Prosecutorial reform can only be completed when our prosecutors faithfully fulfill their original mission as protectors of the people's human rights." He also urged the prosecution to "break away from long-standing practices and fixed ideas," and requested, "Please do your best in human rights-friendly law enforcement and institutional improvement with an empathetic attitude."

Regarding procedural justice, Minister Park defined it as "not only complying with procedures stipulated by law but also exercising prosecutorial authority in a way that all citizens can accept." He added, "In cases of law enforcement involving coercive power, such as prosecution investigations, it must be exercised strictly but fairly based on public sympathy and trust."

On communication, Minister Park said, "It is necessary to always listen to the voices of the people and innovate the entire legal administration so that the public can use it comfortably." He added, "I will personally visit the field to meet citizens appealing to the law," and "I will also frequently meet and talk directly with members of our Ministry of Justice and prosecution."

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is entering the Ministry of Justice building to pay a courtesy visit to Park Beom-gye, the Minister of Justice, who is about to take office, at the Government Complex Gwacheon in Gyeonggi Province on the 1st. / Gwacheon - Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@

Minister Park said, "Prosecutorial reform has only just taken its first step," and added, "We must further refine and develop the reform tasks for power institutions." Regarding the prosecution, he emphasized, "Follow-up measures must be promptly taken in accordance with the enforcement of the investigation rights reform law," and "The prosecution organization must also be reorganized accordingly." He continued, "We must also organically cooperate with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) based on checks and balances."

He concluded his inaugural speech by saying to the members of the Ministry of Justice and prosecution, "I hope you will do your best in 'legal administration that supports the livelihood of the people' so that all members of our society can feel the warmth of the law," and "I will also communicate and support so that all members of the Ministry of Justice and prosecution family can work with a sense of fulfillment and happiness."

Before the inauguration ceremony, Minister Park met with Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, who visited the Ministry of Justice building to offer congratulations. It is known that no opinions regarding prosecutorial personnel matters were exchanged at this meeting. Prosecutor General Yoon also told reporters after arriving at the Ministry of Justice building, "I came to offer congratulations on the inauguration," and said, "I don't think we will have many deep conversations."

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