Alternative Special Act Emerges for 검수완박... Kim Oh-soo: "Ministry of Justice is the Responsible Department"

Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo is answering questions from the press as he arrives at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 20th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Prosecutor General Kim Osu said, "Legislation is carried out by the National Assembly, and government proposals related to the prosecution fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice," regarding the 'special law' being discussed as an alternative to the 'complete removal of prosecutorial investigative authority (Geomsu Wanbak)' law promoted by the Democratic Party of Korea.

On the morning of the 20th, Prosecutor General Kim, while heading to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, responded to reporters' questions about whether the Supreme Prosecutors' Office plans to draft the special law by saying, "That is premature."

The day before, Kim suggested an alternative, saying, "Instead of the Geomsu Wanbak bill, there could be a way for the National Assembly to enact a special law to secure the fairness and neutrality of prosecutorial investigations," and the Blue House expressed the view that the special law could facilitate in-depth discussions between the Democratic Party and the prosecution.

Regarding the consecutive meetings of prosecutors' groups, Kim said, "The foundation of the criminal justice system is being shaken," and added, "I want to urge you to think of the people first." He emphasized, "As these meetings are voluntarily held after work hours, there are limits to what I, as the Prosecutor General, can say," but stressed, "wise decisions and discussions must always be made for the people and the future of the Republic of Korea."

Following the nationwide meeting of 207 ordinary prosecutors held for the first time in 19 years on the previous day, a nationwide meeting of chief prosecutors' representatives is scheduled for 7 p.m. on the same day.

Through an overnight meeting that lasted until dawn, the ordinary prosecutors stated, "The Constitution recognizes the investigative authority of prosecutors and grants them the direct right to request warrants for compulsory investigations," and added, "The Geomsu Wanbak bill arbitrarily interprets the Constitution to strip prosecutors of both investigative authority and the direct right to request warrants, while even recognizing the police's direct warrant request rights, which has a high possibility of violating the Constitution."

Regarding the postponement of Speaker Park Byeongseok's overseas trip, when asked about the possibility of additional meetings, Kim said, "Of course, I have the intention, but it is not appropriate to discuss any plans or matters in advance."

About whether he would visit the National Assembly before the full meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, he explained, "The National Assembly schedule is progressing urgently," and added, "I have naturally requested an opportunity to attend the full meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee."

Additionally, Kim commented on the Supreme Court's Judicial Administration Office expressing concerns about the Geomsu Wanbak bill, saying, "The criminal justice system is fundamentally composed of three wheels: the courts, prosecution, and lawyers, so it is natural for the courts, which are at the center, to express an appropriate position."

The Judicial Administration Office recently responded to the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee with a review opinion on the partial amendment bill of the Criminal Procedure Act, pointing out, "If risks such as police's excessive or inadequate investigations cannot be properly controlled, it will ultimately affect the court trial process, which has the final control over investigation and prosecution," and warned that it "will act as a negative factor in the 'realization of justice through trials.'"

Regarding criticisms that "there is no self-purification effort by the prosecution," Kim said, "I clearly stated yesterday at the National Assembly that we will reflect and repent. Another member mentioned it, so I am reiterating it. This is something that must be assumed," and added to watch for specific alternative preparations.

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