Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok: "Stalking Murder, a Shocking and Unfortunate Incident... Will Prevent Recurrence"

"Prosecutors' Primary Duty: Ensuring 'Safe Daily Life'... Active Response to Public Crime"
First Official External Schedule, Meeting with Police Chief Yoon Hee-geun... Lee: "Prosecutors and Police Are Colleagues"

Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok is answering questions from the press as he enters the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 19th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-joon] Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok expressed his determination to prevent incidents that infringe on citizens' fundamental rights, such as the recent 'stalking murder case' that occurred at Sindang Station on Seoul Subway Line 2.

On the 19th, during his first commute after being appointed Prosecutor General, Lee told reporters, "I come to work with the resolve that such shocking and unfortunate incidents must never happen again."

He continued, "I feel a sense of responsibility for failing to protect the fundamental rights of the people, including life and safety," adding, "Above all, I believe the prosecution's foremost duty is to protect the lives, bodies, and safety of the people and ensure their safe daily lives. We will actively respond to crimes such as voice phishing, jeonse fraud, sexual violence, harm caused by sexual exploitation materials, as well as various child abuse and livelihood-related crimes."

Regarding criticism that stalking crimes have been met with lenient punishments, Lee said, "One year ago today, stalking was not a criminal offense subject to punishment," and explained, "Since the stalking law was first enacted and implemented last October, although the prosecution has many shortcomings, we will not simply blame the police or the current law. Instead, we will closely cooperate to operate the law with the victim's safety as the top priority."

On the same day, Lee visited the National Police Agency in Migeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, to meet with Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun and discuss measures to respond to stalking crimes and other livelihood-related cases. This was his first external schedule since assuming office as Prosecutor General. He said, "From the outside, it may seem that there is an uncomfortable relationship or conflict between the police and prosecution. However, the reality is not so. Collaboration between frontline police officers and prosecution members happens frequently, and even at this moment, numerous cases are being discussed and properly handled through mutual encouragement and collegial relationships."

Lee also stated, "I believe the police and prosecution are institutions with the common goal of protecting the people from crime and safeguarding their fundamental rights," adding, "After my inauguration, I planned to visit several institutions to greet them, and I chose to visit the police first to meet with their leadership, exchange opinions on various difficult livelihood cases, and especially to strengthen cooperation to prevent the recurrence of recent shocking incidents."

Regarding the timing of personnel appointments for the vacant Deputy Prosecutor General (at the level of High Prosecutor) and other senior executives such as frontline High Prosecutors, Lee said, "This is an issue that requires consultation with the Ministry of Justice, so I will consider the timing carefully," adding, "What is most important is to get the work done, and since personnel appointments involve distributing positions, I will prioritize work over appointments."

On the situation where the Prosecutor General's authority to direct investigations has been excluded in the 'Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case,' in which First Lady Kim Geon-hee is suspected to be involved, Lee said, "There have been several instances where the Minister of Justice has stripped the Prosecutor General of the authority to direct investigations," and added, "The issue of investigative authority involves many practical and legal considerations. I believe that all cases, including this one, should be handled solely based on evidence, legal principles, law, and order, and I think the frontline prosecution office handling this case shares the same view."

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