Park Beom-gye: "Prosecutors' Political Neutrality Is a Matter of Interpretation... President-elect Yoon Will Understand Well"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, referred to President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's pledge to independently and strengthen the functions of the prosecution as "a matter of how to interpret the political neutrality of the prosecution."

On the morning of the 11th, as he arrived at his office in the Government Complex Gwacheon, Minister Park responded to questions about President-elect Yoon's prosecution-related pledge by saying, "Our law does not contain the term 'independence of the prosecution.' However, the Prosecution Office Act first mentions the term 'political neutrality.' There are long-standing discussions and philosophical grounds regarding how to interpret this and how to incorporate it into the organizational system."

He added, "Since a former Prosecutor General has been elected, he would also understand well that the wording of the law should be interpreted beyond its literal meaning, considering the realities and political circumstances."

President-elect Yoon has pledged to abolish the Ministry of Justice's authority to direct investigations and grant the prosecution budgetary authority, effectively strengthening the prosecution organization, and the legal community expects him to implement these pledges as is.

Regarding President-elect Yoon's overall prosecution-related pledges, Minister Park refrained from elaborating, stating, "There will be an opportunity to speak about this officially someday."

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