Criticism Floods Prosecutors' Internal Network Over 'Democratic Party's Inspection and Prosecution Reform'... Discontent Also Directed at Director Kim Oh-soo and Leadership

Seoul Seocho-dong Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

[Asia Economy Legal Affairs Specialist Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] Within the prosecution, voices of opposition are growing against the Democratic Party of Korea's move to push for the passage of the 'Complete Removal of Prosecution's Investigation Rights (Geomsu Wanbak)' bill before President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's inauguration.

On the 8th, numerous posts condemning the Democratic Party's push for Geomsu Wanbak flooded the internal prosecution bulletin board, Epros. Some posts openly expressed dissatisfaction with Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo and high prosecutors, urging them to take a stance, drawing attention to how Prosecutor General Kim will respond.

Kwon Sang-dae, Director of Policy Planning at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, who oversees criminal justice system matters including investigation rights adjustment (age 46, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 32, Chief Prosecutor), said on the same day, "It is heartbreaking and I feel guilty as a practitioner that the harsh reality is that a bill that undermines 70 years of prosecution history and system since the founding of the nation and shakes the foundation of the criminal justice system can be passed within a month if the ruling party sets its mind to it, and our prosecution members have no choice but to plead with lawmakers and appeal to unfavorable public opinion without any other means."

He added, "I want to ask whether this bill and the deliberation process are truly permissible under our Constitution and National Assembly Act, whether it helps protect our families safely from crime, and whether it brings us closer to a society where common sense and conscience are respected."

Lee Bok-hyun, Chief Prosecutor of the Criminal Division 2 at Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office (age 49, class 32), posted a message titled 'I am curious about the stance of the Prosecutor General and high prosecutors regarding so-called prosecution reform' on the morning of the same day, pointing out, "The so-called 'prosecution reform' that has been underway for the past several years was not the reform that prosecution members, including myself, had hoped for ? a prosecution that can conduct necessary investigations with the skill of a seasoned surgeon without being swayed by political forces."

He said, "Having served as a chief of the criminal division in both provincial and metropolitan areas over recent years, I have been involved in the operation of the current system resulting from the so-called prosecution reform. I have painfully witnessed cases where even after filing complaints for fraud, the process drags on for one to two years going back and forth between prosecution and police, during which evidence becomes scattered, and even when multiple fraud groups are simultaneously accused, a single case is split into transferred cases, suspended investigations, non-prosecution records, etc., making it difficult to uncover the truth."

Lee also expressed dissatisfaction with the silent prosecution leadership. He said, "It is very sad that even when a chief prosecutor-level officer like myself vents frustration by posting such messages, the Prosecutor General, high prosecutors, the Director of the Prosecutor's Office, and the Chief of the Policy Division, who hold those positions, remain quietly unaware of what is going on."

He continued, "While I do not expect the spirit of a certain former Prosecutor General who once fiercely declared 'Strike my neck,' shouldn't there at least be some passive expression of opinion like Prosecutor Moon, who served as the Chief of the Policy Division under the current administration and resigned saying 'This is absolutely not right'?"

Finally, Lee concluded, "Or at least openly state that Geomsu Wanbak is a historical mission and try to persuade prosecution members. It is embarrassing to be led by seniors who, when the wind was at their back, moved forward smoothly and mocked 'Why are you going so slowly?' but now, with the wind blowing as a headwind, disappear like a turtle retreating into its shell or an ostrich burying its head in the sand."

Kang Su-san-na, Chief Prosecutor of the Important Economic Crimes Investigation Division at Incheon District Prosecutors' Office (age 53, class 30), also posted on the same day, pointing out, "Under the newly implemented system after the adjustment of investigation rights, there are frequent cases where the prosecution cannot punish crimes that should naturally be punished because it lacks direct investigation rights and has no authority to direct the police, and despite the systems of transfer, non-transfer, and objection, effective investigation and punishment are not carried out due to delays in investigation without binding prosecutorial direction."

She added, "The attempt to swiftly proceed with such a significant task of changing the foundation of the 70-year criminal justice system by setting a deadline until April is difficult for anyone to see as legislative activity for 'the greatest happiness of the greatest number.' I want to ask whether it is really urgent to enact a bill that makes investigation and punishment of crimes difficult, allowing criminals to roam freely."

The day before, National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok transferred Yang Hyang-ja, an independent lawmaker formerly of the Democratic Party, to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Park Seong-jun, a Democratic Party lawmaker who was on the Judiciary Committee, was swapped to the Planning and Finance Committee. The Judiciary Committee has 18 members: 11 from the Democratic Party, 6 from the People Power Party, and 1 from a non-negotiating group. However, after the merger of the Democratic Party and the Open Democratic Party in January, lawmaker Choi Kang-wook changed to the Democratic Party, making the composition 12 Democrats and 6 People Power Party members.

Director Kwon said, "I understand the reshuffle was explained as not being for the purpose of handling contentious bills like Geomsu Wanbak. However, there have been cases where similar reshuffles in the past, such as with the Corruption Investigation Office Act, Carbon Neutrality Act, Private School Act, and Media Arbitration Act last year, paralyzed the agenda coordination committee. I sincerely want to believe that this reshuffle is not for that purpose, but I cannot help but have other thoughts," he emphasized.

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