Kim Osu: "Now is the time for the National Assembly... Hope for the right decision through thorough discussion"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo, regarding the response to the "Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Authority" (Geomsu Wanbak) bill, stated, "Now is the time for the National Assembly," adding, "My sincere hope is that through sufficient discussion and careful consideration, the right decision will be made for the people."

Prosecutor General Kim made these remarks on the morning of the 22nd as he arrived at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. The day before, he met with National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok for 40 minutes, conveying the unfairness of Geomsu Wanbak and the position of the prosecution. Meanwhile, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office proposed to Speaker Park the formation of a 'Special Committee for Criminal Justice System Reform' within the National Assembly to ensure fairness in investigations and to create a 'Special Act for the Protection of Fairness and Human Rights in Investigations' through discussions. They also suggested internal reform measures such as appointing special prosecutors for cases where political neutrality could be an issue to guarantee independent investigations and expanding the Prosecutorial Investigation Deliberation Committee.

Regarding the special act, Prosecutor General Kim said, "It will be a shackle for investigative agencies including the prosecution, but it can be a great gift of human rights protection and fairness to the people," and added, "As for internal control measures, we believe we should accelerate and demonstrate what we can do."

In response to criticism that the implementation of fairness measures at the frontline might reduce the scope for investigations into those in power, he said, "Currently, the purpose is not investigations into power itself, but necessary investigations into power for the Republic of Korea. I have judged that it might be necessary not to conduct power investigations that the people and the National Assembly do not want. I will consider that carefully."

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office proposed the appointment of special prosecutors for cases where political neutrality could be an issue to guarantee independent investigations and the expansion of the Prosecutorial Investigation Deliberation Committee as part of internal reform measures the day before. Prosecutor General Kim's remarks today are interpreted as a call to refrain from investigating cases that could lead to the 'judicialization of politics.'

Regarding the expansion of the special prosecutor system, he said, "Originally, it was a system to allow independent investigations when there was corruption within the prosecution, but now internal corruption is investigated by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), so it is difficult to utilize. I am considering a method where multiple high prosecutors recommend candidates, and I appoint one of them to conduct independent investigations and only receive the results. I will work on concretizing this."

Regarding the meeting held the day before between Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye and high prosecutors concerning Geomsu Wanbak, he said, "It is meaningful that the minister listened to the voices of the prosecution," adding, "As the highest commander of the Ministry of Justice and prosecution, it is natural for him to step forward, express opinions, and provide solutions. I will also communicate more."

Additionally, concerning the fact that after the prosecutors' meeting, investigative officers have also been gathering for meetings day after day, he said, "Since my inauguration as Prosecutor General, I have completed various systems for investigative officers. And I believe investigative officers are truly doing work necessary for the people," adding, "I am well aware that investigative officers raised their voices yesterday in Seoul and Daegu. I believe they voluntarily raised their voices out of loyalty for the people and the prosecution. I am concerned that it might be seen as collective action, but it is not at all of that nature; rather, it is raising voices for the people against flawed legislation."

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