Handonghun "Kim Osu Prosecutor General's Resignation, Understanding Public Official's Loyalty"... "Legislative Rush Ignoring Procedures Expected to Harm the People"

On the 15th, Han Dong-hoon, the nominee for Minister of Justice, is answering questions from the press as he enters the Personnel Hearing Preparation Office set up at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] On the 17th, Han Dong-hoon, the nominee for Minister of Justice, expressed his position regarding Kim Oh-soo, the Prosecutor General, who tendered his resignation, stating, "Kim Oh-soo Prosecutor General's resignation can be understood as a heartfelt act of loyalty as a public official responsible for criminal justice work, in a situation where the legislative overreach ignoring procedures is expected to cause harm to the public as clearly as seeing fire."

Additionally, nominee Han appealed, "I earnestly urge the public to take greater interest so that the systems supporting constitutional order and the rule of law do not collapse."

On the same day, Prosecutor General Kim submitted his resignation letter to Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice.

In a resignation statement delivered to the press, Kim first said, "I would like to bow my head and apologize to the public and members of the prosecution for the conflicts and turmoil surrounding the so-called 'complete prosecution investigation prohibition' (Geomsu Wanbak) bill legislative process."

He continued, "I believe that a new criminal law system, which has a significant impact on the rights of the people, should be operated for at least 10 years before discussing whether to reform the system. Even in that case, public hearings, gathering public opinion, and bipartisan consensus are absolutely necessary."

He added, "As someone who was involved in prosecution reform for the first time in 70 years while serving as Deputy Minister of Justice in 2019, I deeply feel responsible that the prosecution has been targeted for reform again just one year after the implementation of the reform, and that legislative procedures are underway to completely abolish the prosecution's investigative functions. As Prosecutor General, I take responsibility for the conflicts and turmoil that have arisen and have submitted my resignation to the Minister of Justice."

He further stated, "I sincerely hope that my submission of the resignation letter will serve as even a small opportunity for lawmakers to reconsider once more during the legislative process in the National Assembly. I firmly believe that the members of the prosecution will trust the National Assembly, the representatives of the people, to make wise decisions based on the will and public opinion of the people, and I earnestly ask them once again to carry out their duties entrusted to us with utmost diligence and care without any negligence."

Meanwhile, nominee Han criticized the Democratic Party on the 15th, when they proposed the 'Geomsu Wanbak Law,' saying, "Ultimately, if this bill passes, the only ones who will suffer are the powerless people, and powerful criminals will, in effect, be able to commit crimes without punishment due to the system."

He also targeted the Democratic Party, saying, "The only ones who should fear a properly functioning prosecution are criminals. The public must be very curious about what has happened over the past five years that has led to such an unjustified midnight escape."

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