Kim Osu Visits Park Byeongseok... "Risk of Unconstitutionality in Complete Prosecution Reform, Request to Enact Special Law"

"If This Continues, Issues Such as Trial and Criminal Punishment Delays Will Arise"

Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo is taking a commemorative photo before a meeting with Speaker Park Byeong-seok at the National Assembly Speaker's Office on the 21st. Prosecutor General Kim conveyed the prosecution's position to the Speaker regarding the Democratic Party's announcement that it would officially request the convening of a plenary session on the 22nd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Prosecutor General Kim Osu met with National Assembly Speaker Park Byeongseok and appealed for mediation regarding the Democratic Party's push for the 'Geomsu Wanbak (Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Rights)' legislation, stating that "the precise judicial system is collapsing, causing delays in case processing."

On the afternoon of the 21st, Prosecutor General Kim held a 30-minute meeting with Speaker Park in the Speaker's office and, upon leaving, told reporters, "If this continues, trials will be delayed, the restoration of victims' rights will be delayed, and the punishment of criminals will also be delayed, causing various problems."

Kim explained, "(The Democratic Party's bill) has the potential to violate the Constitution and is completely contrary to the discussions held during the 2019 so-called investigation rights adjustment," adding, "As a result, the prosecution loses its investigation rights, which are entirely monopolized by the police, making it inappropriate from the perspective of checks and balances." He then emphasized a mediation alternative for Geomsu Wanbak, saying, "We need to reestablish a special judicial reform committee like the one in 2019."

He said, "Please create a so-called 'Special Act for Fairness of Investigation and Protection of Human Rights,'" adding, "The special act is the most certain way to prevent the prosecution from repeatedly protecting its own members during investigations." Furthermore, "I thank the Speaker for listening attentively even to the extent of postponing overseas trips," and "I also requested an opportunity to express opinions to the Chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and if given the chance, I will go to the National Assembly again to inform them of the prosecution's position."

Regarding Minister of Justice Park Beomgye's holding of the nationwide high prosecutors' meeting that day, Prosecutor General Kim added, "As the highest supervisory authority of the prosecution, I requested that the prosecution's position on the legislation be conveyed to the National Assembly," and explained, "It seems that the high prosecutors' meeting was held in that context to hear opinions."

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