People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy "Prosecutors' Special Investigation Capabilities Strengthened Under Moon Administration That Conducted Deep-rooted Corruption Investigations"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] A civic group has evaluated that the special investigation capabilities of the prosecution were rather strengthened under the Moon Jae-in administration, which advocated prosecutorial reform. The civic group pointed out that this was due to a contradictory attitude of actively utilizing special investigations for probing deep-rooted evils.

On the 30th, People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) announced the publication of a report titled "Drifting Prosecutorial Reform, Approaching Prosecutorial Republic" at the Areumdri Hall of PSPD in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The press conference was attended by Han Sang-hee, co-representative of PSPD, Lee Ji-hyun, secretary general of PSPD, Oh Byung-doo, director of PSPD Judicial Monitoring Center, and Yoo Seung-ik, executive committee member of PSPD Judicial Monitoring Center.

PSPD pointed out that although prosecutorial reform was attempted, contradictory attitudes hindered the Moon administration. Director Oh said, "They took a contradictory stance by actively utilizing special investigations, which were pointed out as another deep-rooted evil, as a means for investigating deep-rooted evils," adding, "Paradoxically, the prosecution's special investigation capabilities were strengthened." Due to this, during the adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and police, the scope of direct investigation by the prosecution was broadly recognized focusing on 'serious crimes,' and follow-up work such as adjustment of investigative personnel was insufficient.

They also argued that challenges still remain. Although the Moon administration proceeded with the adjustment of investigative authority and the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), there are still unfinished tasks. Committee member Yoo pointed out, "The investigation of deep-rooted evils using special prosecutors distorted and transformed prosecutorial reform," and added, "The political neutrality of the prosecution is merely a myth, and the theory of prosecutorial neutrality, one of the perspectives of prosecutorial reform, is fictitious."

Concerns were also raised that the power of the prosecution will become even stronger in the future. Secretary General Lee said, "President Yoon has filled the Presidential Secretariat with former prosecution investigators and prosecutors and appointed Han Dong-hoon, a former chief prosecutor, as Minister of Justice," adding, "It is necessary to monitor whether investigation and prosecution are used for the president's governance." Director Oh also stated, "With the inauguration of President Yoon Seok-youl, who emphasized the independence of the prosecution in his campaign promises, concerns about a prosecutorial republic are emerging," and added, "The dominance of the prosecution network must be guarded against and monitored within public awareness and consensus."

Furthermore, they argued that discussions on prosecutorial reform should be conducted focusing on governance. Co-representative Han explained, "The reform work of the Ministry of Justice and prosecution conducted so far has proceeded forgetting that democratization is both the goal and the process of reform," and added, "It should be approached with the concept of prosecutorial power working together with civil society, not a confrontation between civil society and prosecutorial power."

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