Park Beom-gye, Emergency Meeting with High Prosecutors at 3 PM "Will Listen Carefully"

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] On the 21st, Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, will meet with the chief prosecutors of high prosecutors' offices nationwide to discuss the Democratic Party's legislative push for 'Geomsu Wanbak' (complete removal of prosecutorial investigation rights). This is the first time Minister Park is meeting with the chief prosecutors amid the Geomsu Wanbak situation.

On the morning of the same day, Minister Park, while heading to the Ministry of Justice Government Gwacheon Complex, told reporters, "I plan to meet with the chief prosecutors of high prosecutors' offices nationwide at 3 p.m. today at the Ministry of Justice." The meeting will be held at the Ministry of Justice Government Gwacheon Complex, and Minister Park along with six chief prosecutors nationwide (excluding the head of the Judicial Research and Training Institute and the Deputy Prosecutor General) are expected to attend.

Minister Park said, "I will listen attentively," adding, "At least, I am fully aware of the prosecutors' thoughts on the separation of investigation and prosecution, and at the Ministry of Justice level, our prosecution bureau has submitted many opinions to me in writing, so I am well informed."

He continued, "I can hear about these matters directly by meeting, and I have consistently stated from the beginning that, as the President also confirmed when meeting the Prosecutor General, the essence of investigation and securing fairness are key. I intend to discuss that part."

Additionally, Minister Park said, "Following the meeting of ordinary prosecutors, the nationwide representative meeting of chief prosecutors held an all-night discussion and issued a statement. It included an expression of 'deep reflection on the failure to gain the public's trust in terms of investigation fairness and political neutrality.' From my experience and knowledge, this is the first time I have heard such an expression. I highly appreciate it," adding, "Prosecutors have not only the will for fairness in investigations but also the intention to establish institutional measures for that purpose."

Meanwhile, regarding Gwangju High Prosecutor General Cho Jong-tae sending a protest text message to Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min, Minister Park said, "Anyone might think 'Should I send a text?' but actually doing so is impossible even in imagination."

Regarding Min Hyung-bae, Democratic Party lawmaker for Gwangsan-gu Eul, Gwangju, leaving the Democratic Party to push through the Geomsu Wanbak bill, he said, "As a minister of a government department, I believe it is inappropriate to comment on parliamentary affairs" and refrained from further remarks.

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