Kim Osu: "I Will Stake My Position to Protect the Criminal Justice System"... "Erosion of the Prosecutorial System Ultimately Causes Public Inconvenience"

Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo is delivering a keynote speech at the National Chief Prosecutors' Meeting held at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 11th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist Reporter] Kim Oh-soo, Prosecutor General (age 59, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 20), expressed on the 11th his determination to protect the criminal justice system for the people, staking his position, in relation to the Democratic Party of Korea's legislative push for 'Geomsu Wanbak' (complete removal of prosecutorial investigative authority).

On that morning, at the 15th-floor conference room of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong, Seoul, Kim made these remarks during the opening speech at the nationwide district prosecutors' meeting attended by district prosecutors from 18 prosecution offices nationwide.

Kim stated, "Last year, there was a major change in the criminal justice system for the first time in 70 years. Because of such a significant change, procedural complexities increased, case processing was delayed, and various problems and confusion arose, with the burden being directly passed on to the people."

He continued, "At the time of the new system's introduction, I served as the Deputy Minister of Justice and felt a strong sense of responsibility. I have been striving to operate the prosecution centered on the people, ensuring the system's stabilization and resolving public inconvenience."

Kim added, "However, before the criminal justice system, which has only been in effect for about a year, could properly settle, discussions to completely abolish the prosecution's investigative function are becoming visible. Institutional prohibition of prosecutorial investigations is unprecedented in advanced legal systems."

He emphasized, "If the prosecution is unable to investigate, criminals will not be properly punished, and victims' suffering will increase. Responses to serious crimes such as corruption, corporate, economic, and election crimes will be paralyzed. Case processing will be further delayed, and the public will suffer more inconvenience. Ultimately, the prosecution system will become hollowed out and can no longer be called the prosecution under our Constitution."

Kim appealed, "Changing the criminal justice procedure overnight causes extreme confusion. Such important institutional changes must be based on public consensus and undergo sufficient discussion."

He also mentioned his own position.

He said, "If the prosecution's investigative function is abolished, there will be no meaning for me as Prosecutor General to continue performing my duties. I will not cling to my position. I will not shy away from any responsibility."

Kim asked the attending district prosecutors, "Fellow prosecutors! Our prosecution members who have faithfully performed their duties must be very frustrated by the current situation. I share the same feelings," and requested, "I ask the frontline prosecutors here to pool wisdom on ways to overcome this crisis."

He added, "I would also like to hear your opinions on how we can enhance public trust. Although the situation is not easy, I hope all prosecution members will remain steadfast and focus on their fundamental duties."

Finally, Kim concluded his remarks by saying, "The Supreme Prosecutors' Office and I will unite your intentions and do our utmost to protect the criminal justice system for the people."

The Democratic Party is pushing legislation known as 'Geomsu Wanbak,' which includes abolishing the Prosecutors' Office and establishing the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (Jungsucheong) and the Prosecution Agency, assigning investigation and prosecution/maintenance of public prosecution respectively.

Last week, when National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok transferred Park Seong-jun, a Democratic Party member of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, to the Planning and Finance Committee and appointed Yang Hyang-ja, an independent lawmaker, to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee instead, it was analyzed as a prelude to neutralizing the agenda adjustment committee and passing the bill before President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's inauguration.

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