Ahn Cheol-soo: "Complete Abolition of Prosecutorial Authority Gives Politicians Conflicts of Interest and Criminals Room to Breathe... Must Undergo Public Debate"

Ahn "As a personal opinion, not as the transition committee chair"
"If prosecution investigation rights are handed over to the police, how will checks and balances be maintained?" Fierce criticism

Ahn Cheol-soo, Chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, is arriving at the transition office in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 24th. Photo by the Transition Committee Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporters Yoo Byung-don and Lee Ki-min] Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the presidential transition committee, expressed on the 24th his opinion that "more sufficient time should be taken for public discussion" regarding the ruling and opposition parties' agreement on the mediation plan for the "Geomsu Wanbak" (complete removal of prosecutorial investigation rights) bill proposed by National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok.

On the 24th, Chairman Ahn spoke to reporters at a press conference held at the transition committee office in Tongui-dong, Seoul, clarifying that these were his personal views.

First, Chairman Ahn expressed gratitude, saying, "Many reporters came not only to cover but also to pay their respects at my father's funeral. I have never seen such a scene before. I believe my father lived a remarkable life, so the reporters voluntarily came to pay their respects, which brought great comfort to my family."

When reporters asked about the ruling Democratic Party and the People Power Party agreeing on the mediation plan for Geomsu Wanbak, and mentioned that he had said he would give his stance after receiving a report (on the Geomsu Wanbak issue the previous day), Chairman Ahn responded, "Actually, I was asked that question when I first arrived at work yesterday, and I received a report on the overall situation internally. I would like to share my personal opinion, not as the chairman of the transition committee."

He continued, "First of all, it is my belief that reforming powerful institutions like the prosecution is absolutely necessary. And as you can see from the process this time, I understand that in the current situation where the opposition holds a majority, a compromise was inevitable for the Geomsu Wanbak to proceed immediately," adding, "However, fundamentally speaking, isn't the most important aspect of reforming such powerful institutions the system of checks and balances?"

He further stated, "'If many prosecutorial powers are transferred to the police, how will checks and balances on the police be maintained?' This issue remains. Another problem is politicians preventing themselves from being investigated by the prosecution," pointing out, "That is precisely a conflict of interest. That is why many citizens and intellectuals are angry."

Chairman Ahn especially emphasized, "Because this issue concerns the very foundation of our country's judicial system, I believe it is reasonable and desirable to take more sufficient time for public discussion and to prepare a plan for adjusting investigative rights between the prosecution and police that can properly maintain balance and checks," adding, "Furthermore, if this law passes, I want to express my concern that during its implementation, criminals might find loopholes to evade justice, causing harm to many citizens."

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