[Reporter’s Notebook] 100 Days Since Launch, the Corruption Investigation Office Must Maintain Neutrality

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] "Who watches the watchers?"

This is a phrase left by the 1st-century Roman poet Juvenal, satirizing the corruption of the powers of his time. Korea's watchers have also lacked sufficient checks and balances compared to the power they wield. It was difficult for investigative agencies leading criminal and judicial procedures, such as the prosecution and courts, to monitor themselves. As a result, issues like judicial corruption in the courts and abuse of investigative authority by the prosecution surfaced.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), launched in January this year, was an institutional answer to the question of who watches the watchers. Not only judges, prosecutors, and senior police officers but also the president, prime minister, and members of the National Assembly are subject to CIO investigations. This is why political neutrality controversies inevitably follow as the CIO acts as the "watcher of the watchers."

The CIO will mark its 100th day since its launch on the 30th. However, there are numerous controversies and challenges that make celebration premature. Controversies over the "emperor-style investigation" of Seoul Central District Prosecutor Lee Seong-yoon regarding the alleged illegal travel ban on former Deputy Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui, as well as the indictment and transfer of related cases, have sparked debates over neutrality. Although the CIO has yet to initiate its first investigation, as of the 23rd, it has received a cumulative total of 966 cases. It has missed both speed and neutrality.

At times like this, focus on neutrality is essential. Recently, the CIO conducted training for new prosecutors due to criticisms of insufficient investigative experience. There remains the task of hiring 10 additional prosecutors to meet the authorized staff of 23, but as seen in the early years of the Constitutional Court or the National Human Rights Commission, which experienced confusion during their first one to two years, speed is not the essence of the problem.

CIO Chief Kim Jin-wook said at the Kwanhun Club Forum in February, "The law must be applied equally to everyone," adding, "I believe the CIO is a means to realize the 'rule of law.'" He also emphasized, "Our investigative agencies should operate under the principle of justice, where law is governed by rationality independently pursuing what is right, not subordinated to politics under 'rule by law.'" If the CIO secures neutrality as it initially intended, the momentum for investigations and public support will naturally follow.

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