Won Hee-ryong: "Abolishing the Ministry of Justice's investigation command is Yoon's conviction... aiming to sever the link between Cheong and the prosecution"

If the Prosecution Is Granted an Independent Budget, Parliamentary Oversight of the Prosecution Will Be Strengthened
"The Corruption Investigation Office, Prosecution, and Police Must Check and Develop Their Capabilities Together"

Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Province. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Won Hee-ryong, Policy Headquarters Director of the People Power Party's Election Countermeasures Headquarters, explained that the judicial reform pledges of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, such as abolishing the Ministry of Justice Minister's investigative command authority and guaranteeing the prosecution's independent budget authority, are "the candidate's conviction."

In an interview with Asia Economy on the 15th, Director Won said, "Regarding this pledge, the prosecution already has no additional powers beyond what is institutionally guaranteed," and explained, "By abolishing the Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs, it cuts off the connection to the Blue House, and it also aims to stop the Ministry of Justice Minister from interfering with the prosecution."

He said that this pledge reflects Yoon's conviction, stating, "We don't need to be this strong. Fundamentally, it was at the level of respecting the independence of the prosecution," and added, "This pledge, which includes institutional reform, is the candidate's conviction."

Director Won explained, "Regarding foreign cases such as investigative command authority, Yoon was better informed," and said, "Originally, this system had become obsolete, but after the regime change, if it were used in reverse, it could be abused. We are institutionalizing the decision not to use it."

He explained that through this reform, the Blue House's influence over the prosecution will weaken, while the National Assembly's control will be strengthened. Director Won introduced, "The only thing the president can do regarding the Prosecutor General is personnel authority, but even that requires a National Assembly hearing." On the other hand, he explained that as the Prosecutor General prepares an independent budget, the National Assembly's control can be strengthened. Director Won said, "If there is an independent budget, the Prosecutor General must come to the National Assembly to explain the budget," and added, "We cut off the link with the president but made it subject to control by the National Assembly."

He also countered concerns about the prosecution's potential overreach. Director Won said, "If the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gongu-cheo) were abolished, it could be seen as strengthening the prosecution, but the pledge allows Gongu-cheo to investigate the prosecution," and added, "Gongu-cheo, the prosecution, and the police should all investigate independently to create a system of mutual checks and balances. That way, capabilities increase, and the nation's justice system and level of corruption prevention improve. In this process, there can be no overreach by the prosecution."

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