Acting President Lee Won-seok: "Fairness and Political Neutrality in the Exercise of Prosecutorial Power Are Most Important"

Lee Won-seok, Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, currently acting as the Prosecutor General, is answering questions from reporters upon arriving at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] Acting Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok (Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office) emphasized fairness and political neutrality in the exercise of prosecutorial power to the senior officials of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

He also urged thorough preparation for the revision of subordinate statutes and constitutional litigation in advance of the implementation of the so-called 'Geomsu Wanbak' (complete removal of prosecutorial investigative authority) bills, including the amended Prosecutors' Office Act and Criminal Procedure Act.

At the monthly senior officials meeting of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office held on the 26th, Acting Prosecutor General Lee stated, "For the prosecution to gain the trust and confidence of the people, fairness and political neutrality in the exercise of prosecutorial power are of utmost importance."

He referred to Han Feizi, a Legalist thinker from China's Warring States period, who said, '法不阿貴 繩不撓曲 (Beopbulagwi Seungbulyoguk, the law does not flatter the noble, the measuring line does not bend to crookedness),' emphasizing, "There can be no sanctuary in law enforcement, and prosecutorial power must be exercised solely according to law and principles."

Acting Prosecutor General Lee urged, "I hope all members of the prosecution will devote their utmost sincerity and effort to investigations, prosecutions, and trials so that there is no suspicion regarding the prosecution's political neutrality or fairness. With local elections just a week away, I ask that election-related cases be investigated neutrally and fairly, and handled solely based on facts and legal principles, applying the same standards regardless of affiliated party, election outcome, or rank."

On this day, Acting Prosecutor General Lee first expressed his reflections and determination upon taking office amid the difficult circumstances surrounding the prosecution, including the opposition party's push for Geomsu Wanbak, and urged prosecution members to adopt an attitude of serving the people.

He said, "It is a heavy responsibility to assume the role of acting prosecutor general as the position is vacant, but I trust all members of the prosecution and will carry out the duties of the prosecutor general without any gaps until the new prosecutor general takes office. Starting with today's first monthly meeting, I hope all prosecution members will strictly recognize the situation with an attitude focused solely on the people and serving them, and steadily resolve urgent tasks one by one."

Acting Prosecutor General Lee also requested thorough preparation, including the revision of subordinate statutes, to ensure that the capacity to respond to major crimes is not weakened by the amended Prosecutors' Office Act and Criminal Procedure Act, which will take effect in September, and urged close preparation for constitutional litigation related to the amended laws.

He stated, "Although the amended laws will be implemented in September, we cannot neglect even for a moment the protection of the people's lives, safety, property, and fundamental rights. Since there is much to be done before the implementation, everyone should not waste even a minute or a second in their respective positions and work with the spirit of 'Serving the Nation, the Duty of the Prosecution' (Wiguk Heonsin Geomsal Bonbun, 爲國獻身 檢察本分)."

He added, "We cannot just blame the problems of the amended laws; we must promptly proceed with consultations and cooperation with related agencies to reassure the public and thoroughly revise follow-up statutes. We must maintain the capacity to respond to major crimes that undermine the foundation of society, minimize public inconvenience such as delays in case handling, and also prepare meticulously for constitutional litigation related to the amended laws."

Additionally, Acting Prosecutor General Lee emphasized ▲ efforts to protect and strengthen the capabilities of socially vulnerable groups ▲ a prosecution that works evenly and communicates ▲ dignity and attitude as members of the prosecution.

In particular, he said, "Prosecution members should not only perform fixed unit tasks but also flexibly operate organizations, tasks, and personnel according to circumstances to become a 'prosecution that works evenly.' To this end, we need to diagnose current work processes, appropriately redistribute tasks and personnel, and devise various morale-boosting measures to create an environment where members can work enthusiastically and creatively."

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