Handonghun: "Revision of Investigation Rules Aims to Address Public Grievances"

Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, regarding the revision of the investigation guidelines that expanded the prosecution's authority for reinvestigation and supplementary investigation, said, "The public wants their complaints and accusations to be processed more quickly and wants their side of the story to be heard to clear any grievances," adding, "This (revised) investigation guideline is exactly in that direction."

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is delivering a message at the new prosecutors' commissioning ceremony held on the 1st. [Photo by Ministry of Justice]

At the new prosecutors' commissioning ceremony held at the Ministry of Justice Gwacheon Government Complex on the 1st, Minister Han stated, "While which side is right may be ambiguous depending on the camp, what is right is clear," emphasizing, "The essence of the issue is not whether the prosecution's or police's authority is expanded by the revision of the investigation guidelines, but whether the public's rights and interests improve or worsen before and after the revision."

He continued, "If critics assume that they or their family members have been victims of a crime and file complaints or accusations, it is clear which situation before or after the revision would be better for them." He also added, "Our work is a process of carefully determining what is right and explaining it persuasively," and "The standard should be whether the public's rights and interests improve or worsen through our work."

Minister Han urged the new prosecutors, "When you get into the ring to fight, it is easy to focus only on winning and neglect why you must win," emphasizing, "In a democratic society, at the end of debates and fights, there must be progress toward the goal." He then quoted Pericles, the ancient Athenian statesman, saying, "'A good public official is someone who knows what must be done, can explain it well, loves the country, and is incorruptible,'" and added, "I support you all to become such public officials."

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