The Transition Committee: "Public Trust in the Corruption Investigation Office Hits Rock Bottom... Conveyed Public Opinion on the Chief's Responsibility"

Yongho Lee, Secretary of the Political, Judicial, and Administrative Subcommittee of the Presidential Transition Committee, is briefing at the Presidential Transition Committee press conference hall in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 27th. Photo by Transition Committee Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 30th, the Presidential Transition Committee strongly criticized the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (Gong-su-cheo) for losing its neutrality and said that public trust in it is at rock bottom.

Lee Yong-ho, a member of the People Power Party and the secretary of the Political, Judicial, and Administrative Subcommittee of the Transition Committee, said at a briefing after a meeting with Gong-su-cheo at the Transition Committee office in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, "I think public trust in Gong-su-cheo is almost at rock bottom," adding, "There is public criticism that Gong-su-cheo has fallen far short of expectations, and there is also public opinion that the head of Gong-su-cheo bears responsibility, which I conveyed to Gong-su-cheo."

However, regarding the critical public opinion conveyed to Gong-su-cheo, he drew a line, saying it was not pressure on Gong-su-cheo Chief Kim Jin-wook's position. Lee said, "I conveyed the public sentiment that there is great disappointment among the public that Gong-su-cheo is operating differently from the commitments made by Chief Kim during his confirmation hearing."

Regarding Article 24 of the Gong-su-cheo Act, which has been criticized as a provision giving superior status over the prosecution and police, Lee said, "Regarding Article 24, Paragraph 1, the Gong-su-cheo Chief's right to request case transfer raises concerns about arbitrary exercise, and Paragraph 2's provisions on Gong-su-cheo's notification and whether to initiate investigations, as well as the reply clause, lack clear standards and the notification deadlines are not being observed."

In response, Deputy Chief Yeo Woon-guk of Gong-su-cheo reportedly said, "Over the past one year and two months, Gong-su-cheo has reflected on its shortcomings in meeting public expectations, is deeply introspective, and is making painstaking efforts while preparing checks and balances," according to Lee.

However, Lee stated that at the meeting, Gong-su-cheo expressed a different view regarding Article 24 of the Gong-su-cheo Act, saying it is a provision that forms the basis of Gong-su-cheo's existence, differing from the Ministry of Justice, prosecution, and police.

Regarding the controversy over surveillance of journalists, including the inquiry of communication data, Lee added, "Gong-su-cheo responded that it will be careful not to infringe on freedom of the press going forward, and will introduce communication data examiners and human rights investigation policy officers, activate an investigative advisory group composed of external members, establish control devices, and prepare supplementary measures."

When asked whether the Transition Committee is discussing the abolition of Gong-su-cheo, Lee replied, "No. Gong-su-cheo is an independent institution that the president or the presidential office cannot directly intervene in," adding, "Abolition is a matter for the National Assembly."

Lee said, "The Transition Committee pointed out that Gong-su-cheo's political neutrality, independence, and fairness were insufficient and that institutional improvements are necessary, and Gong-su-cheo largely agreed," he concluded.

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