Kim Osu: "If appointed Prosecutor General, will examine need to improve Investigation Deliberation Committee"

Prosecutor General nominee Kim Oh-soo is arriving at the personnel hearing preparation office set up at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 12th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Kim Oh-soo, the nominee for Prosecutor General, expressed his intention to review the reorganization of the Prosecutorial Investigation Deliberation Committee if he assumes office as Prosecutor General.

According to the office of Choi Ki-sang, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 24th, Kim said in response to calls for the reorganization of the Investigation Deliberation Committee, "I will carefully examine whether there are parts that need improvement once I take office."

He added, "There are various opinions regarding the improvement of the operation plan of the Investigation Deliberation Committee," and said he would gather opinions.

The Prosecutorial Investigation Deliberation Committee is a committee that reviews whether the prosecution's investigation into cases that have raised public suspicion was conducted properly. It was introduced in 2018 to check the prosecution's investigation and indictment authority. External experts participate, and the decisions made by the committee are recommended to the prosecution investigation team handling the case.

However, since the committee's recommendations are not binding, there are arguments that it is ineffective. Some criticize that applications to the committee are being overused for public opinion manipulation. Additionally, there are criticisms that the participation of many non-legal professionals, who do not properly review case evidence or records before deciding on recommendations, is unprofessional.

Recently, voices calling for reorganization have grown louder as current prosecutors such as Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon and Seoul Central District Prosecutor Lee Seong-yoon have applied to the committee.

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