OECD: "Geomsu Wanbak Weakens Anti-Corruption Crime Investigation and Prosecution Capabilities"

Drago, Chair of Anti-Bribery Task Force, "Concerned About Moves to Pass Before May 10"

Speaker of the National Assembly Park Byeong-seok is checking a note containing details about the mediation proposal related to the "complete inspection ban" during a meeting with the ruling and opposition floor leaders held at the Speaker's office on the 26th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has expressed concerns about the movement of our National Assembly to pass the so-called ‘geom-su-wan-bak law’.

According to the legal community on the 26th, Drago Kos, Chair of the OECD Anti-Bribery Working Group, delivered such a letter to the Ministry of Justice’s International Criminal Division on the 22nd.

The OECD Anti-Bribery Working Group has been monitoring the anti-corruption efforts of member countries, including South Korea, since the international convention criminalizing bribery in international business transactions came into effect in 1999.

Chair Drago stated, "I sent this letter to express concern about the legislative movement to amend the Prosecutors' Office Act and the Criminal Procedure Act of the Republic of Korea," adding, "I understand that Speaker Park Byeong-seok recently delivered a mediation proposal for revising the prosecution’s investigative authority to the National Assembly."

He continued, "If the mediation proposal is passed, the legal provisions regulating the prosecution’s investigative authority over all crimes, including corruption crimes, are expected to be collectively deleted," and "Since your country’s Prosecutors’ Office has been investigating and prosecuting overseas bribery-related cases, we have been paying close attention to this legislative movement."

He further emphasized, "I would like to stress that the mediation proposal must never weaken Korea’s anti-corruption and overseas bribery crime investigation and prosecution capabilities," and "I also want to express concern about the movement to pass the proposal before May 10."

Additionally, he said, "It would be good to receive clear additional information on this matter from the Government of the Republic of Korea," and "Given the urgency of the issue, I hope to receive a prompt response or an opportunity to discuss this matter directly."

If the mediation proposal is passed, prosecutors will be able to temporarily investigate only corruption and economic crimes, excluding four of the six major crimes (corruption, economy, public officials, elections, defense industry, and major disasters). Once the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (Jungsucheong) is launched, the prosecution’s direct investigative authority will be completely abolished.

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