Verification Completion Ban, Prosecution Rights, Personnel... The Future of Prosecution Revealed in Six Days

Kim Osu Prosecutor General Nominee Confirmation Hearing, Likely to Reveal Final Prosecutorial Reform Steps of Moon Administration

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] A key indicator that can gauge the future of the prosecution will be revealed next week. Prosecutor General nominee Kim Oh-soo's stance on the complete removal of prosecutorial investigative authority (Geomsu Wanbak) and the transfer of prosecution rights to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) is expected to be the final gauge of the Moon Jae-in administration's prosecution reform.

According to the legal community on the 20th, Kim is currently organizing his position on the allegations raised against him and the future direction of prosecution reform ahead of next week's confirmation hearing. Since the confirmation hearing schedule, which had been stalled due to conflicts between the ruling and opposition parties, was finally set, the hearing preparation team explained that they will do their best in the National Assembly's verification process.

The greatest interest lies in Kim's stance on 'Geomsu Wanbak.' The ruling party and government are considering transferring all investigative authority over six major crimes, including corruption and economic crimes, remaining with the prosecution to the Serious Crime Investigation Office (Jungsucheong). Since Kim, along with former Ministers of Justice Park Sang-ki, Cho Kuk, and Choo Mi-ae, was involved in the groundwork for prosecution reform, it is highly likely that he will lean toward supporting this.

There is also speculation that, having shifted from assisting the minister to leading the prosecution, Kim might advocate for a pace adjustment reflecting the voices within the prosecution. This is a sensitive issue that previously triggered the resignation of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, and depending on Kim's response, it could escalate into a second 'Geomran (prosecutorial chaos).' This is why hardliners within the ruling party have stated that "it is too early to judge whether he is the right person to complete prosecution reform" and intend to extract a commitment on Geomsu Wanbak during the confirmation hearing.

Kim's position on the transfer of prosecution rights, prosecution, and decentralization of authority?which have shown severe disagreements with the CIO?is also a point to watch. Although a tripartite consultative body involving the CIO, prosecution, and police has been established, the prosecution, which lacked leadership until now, has avoided making concrete statements. If Kim accepts the CIO's position, the prosecution will face severe restrictions on investigations independently of the establishment of Jungsucheong. Conversely, if he emphasizes the prosecution's stance considering internal criticism, the ruling party will oppose him, arguing that it is a regression of prosecution reform.

Prosecution personnel matters, including the status of Lee Sung-yoon, head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, can also be inferred. Some opposition lawmakers on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee preparing for the confirmation hearing plan to focus on whether to handle personnel matters for the indicted Lee, and depending on Kim's answers, the scope of prosecution personnel changes can be anticipated.

In the legal community, it is believed that unless Kim makes a critical mistake, the Blue House will push forward with his appointment. The prosecution chief position has been vacant for nearly three months, and follow-up work on prosecution reform needs to accelerate. However, allegations raised by the opposition, such as tax evasion on gifts to his children and preferential treatment in LH public housing sales, as well as controversies over preferential treatment for former officials, are expected to be unavoidable.

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