"Efforts for Prosecution Personnel Neutrality and Independence Were Insufficient"… Ministry of Justice Receives Failing Grade in Self-Evaluation Report

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye is delivering a joint national address on the 20th presidential election at the Joint Briefing Room of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 15th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Ministry of Justice self-assessed that it failed to properly address tasks related to securing the political neutrality and independence of prosecutorial personnel last year.

According to the '2021 Self-Evaluation Report' published by the Ministry of Justice on the 16th, the ministry evaluated three areas as underperforming: securing the neutrality and independence of prosecutorial personnel, thorough supplementary investigations and prosecution maintenance related to the political scandal, and amendments to laws concerning the fair collection of claims.

In March last year, the Ministry of Justice established implementation plans for 59 management tasks across 47 departments and recently reviewed their progress. Specifically, the results were categorized as Very Excellent (3), Excellent (9), Somewhat Excellent (8), Average (18), Somewhat Insufficient (9), Insufficient (9), and Underperforming (3).

The Ministry initially planned measures to secure the neutrality and independence of prosecutorial personnel, including considering mandatory National Assembly appearances by the Prosecutor General, reducing prosecutors’ secondments to external institutions such as the Ministry of Justice, addressing issues in prosecutor service evaluations and preparing improvement plans, and ensuring the effectiveness of prosecutor disciplinary actions.

These plans were established shortly after Minister Park clashed with Shin Hyun-soo, the Blue House Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, over high-level prosecutorial personnel appointments. Secretary Shin resigned in protest, claiming that Minister Park announced the appointments without sufficient prior coordination.

In the summer of the same year, Minister Park promoted and transferred prosecutors perceived as pro-government to key positions and replaced executives who had led investigations into power-related cases targeting the administration. This caused much speculation within the prosecution.

In the report, the Ministry of Justice pointed out that "not only the preparation of legal and institutional improvement measures but also practical management and operation are necessary for the prosecution to be reborn as a people-centered institution focusing on livelihood and human rights that the public can feel."

Regarding the investigation and trial of the political scandal case, the ministry was evaluated as 'underperforming.' It was also diagnosed as insufficient in establishing a prosecution image based on checks and balances for the people, fostering a fair and clean election culture, strictly punishing five major serious corruption crimes, and eradicating local entrenched corruption.

On the other hand, protection and support for socially vulnerable groups such as crime victims, strengthening measures to prevent violent crimes including sexual violence, and enhancing public communication in correctional policies were rated as Very Excellent. Legal amendments for social coexistence of single-person households, establishing a legal foundation for inter-Korean relations development, and strengthening COVID-19 response and disaster safety management capabilities were rated as Excellent.

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