Inside Prosecution: "Who Undermined Prosecution 'Neutrality'... Prosecutorial Reform Passed Because Things Didn't Go Their Way"

"Never Undermined Neutrality Under Current Government... Who Delayed Approval in Channel A Case?"
Democratic Party "US Prosecutors Have No Investigative Authority"... Korean American Prosecutors Association "US Prosecutors Have Investigative Authority"

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] Sharp criticism is emerging within the prosecution regarding the ruling Democratic Party’s justification for pushing through the ‘complete removal of prosecution’s investigative authority’ (Geomsu Wanbak) bill, citing the prosecution’s violation of political neutrality. While acknowledging that the prosecution previously conducted investigations that compromised political neutrality, they argue that under the current administration, which has implemented high-intensity prosecutorial reforms, the prosecution has not conducted any investigations undermining neutrality. Yet, the ruling party is recklessly trying to pass the Geomsu Wanbak bill.

According to the legal community on the 26th, the Democratic Party plans to handle the Geomsu Wanbak mediation plan, agreed upon by both ruling and opposition parties, at this week’s plenary session.

Members of the ‘Cheoreomhoe,’ a group of first-term Democratic Party lawmakers effectively leading the Geomsu Wanbak bill’s passage, including Hwang Unha, Kim Yongmin, and Choi Kangwook, criticize the prosecution for violating political neutrality in cases such as the Channel A incident and those related to Kim Geon-hee, wife of President-elect Yoon Seok-youl.

In response, prosecutors argue that the cases pointed out by the Democratic Party were dismissed due to lack of evidence or grounds for prosecution, yet the party is making unreasonable claims about political neutrality.

A deputy chief prosecutor in a provincial office said, “Who has undermined the prosecution’s neutrality?” He added, “While there were cases in the past where the prosecution failed to maintain political neutrality, such incidents have never occurred under this administration.” He criticized, “Rather, those who pressured and urged the prosecution to pursue impossible cases are now engaging in the absurd act of pushing for Geomsu Wanbak to secure prosecutorial neutrality.”

There is also an opinion that, given the current internal prosecution system, the leadership cannot issue directives on case handling, and even if they do, young prosecutors do not follow the leadership’s intentions, making it practically impossible to conduct investigations that violate political neutrality.

Another deputy chief prosecutor said, “The instructions from higher-ups regarding the Channel A investigation were clear, but the investigation results were completely opposite,” and questioned, “The same applies to the investigation of Mrs. Kim Geon-hee; it’s not that they can’t investigate, but they don’t because it’s not feasible. Isn’t it wrong for those who prevented the investigation team’s conclusions from being acted upon?”

Rank-and-file prosecutors also respond, “Currently, there is no situation or room to doubt the prosecution’s political neutrality.” Since all work instructions are recorded, there is no opportunity for higher-ups to intervene with orders that contradict the investigation’s direction.

A rank-and-file prosecutor with special investigation experience said, “I have never received instructions to reach conclusions contrary to the investigation situation, nor is it structurally possible,” adding, “I have heard that senior prosecutors once weighed cases in a murky past, but it is impossible now.”

There is also rebuttal to the Democratic Party’s claim that “American prosecutors do not have investigative authority,” which is one of the grounds for Geomsu Wanbak. The Korean American Prosecutors Association, operated mainly by Korean American prosecutors in the U.S., issued a statement saying, “There is no doubt that American prosecutors have investigative authority and conduct investigations, and investigative functions are essential to pursuing justice, crime deterrence, and public safety.”

The Korean American Prosecutors Association is a global nonprofit organization formed by Korean prosecutors from various countries to share information on common interests in public safety, and to promote mutual exchange, education, and social service. It currently consists of about 100 Korean prosecutors from eight countries.

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