Choo Mi-ae Elected as Judiciary Committee Chair: "I Will Complete Prosecution Reform"

Reaffirming Commitment to Prosecution and Judicial Reform
Reflecting the Ruling Party's Will for Change
"We Will Also Devote Ourselves to Livelihood Legislation"

Choo Mi-ae, a six-term lawmaker and the most senior member of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea, was elected as the chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on August 21.

On this day, the National Assembly held a plenary session to process the resignation of former committee chair Lee Chun-seok, who stepped down due to allegations of stock transactions under an aide's name. Afterward, Choo was elected as the new chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. In the anonymous electronic vote, Choo received 164 out of 173 total votes.

Yonhap News

In her inaugural address, Chairperson Choo stated, "I accept my election as chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee as a mandate from the people to complete the tasks of prosecution, media, and judicial reform." She added, "As chairperson, I will not delay the reform of powerful institutions, which has now become the people's wish, and will do my utmost." She continued, "Through legislative reform, I will ensure that power can never stand above the people again by thoroughly checking and correcting it. At the same time, I will devote myself to livelihood legislation. I will make sure that bills directly affecting people's lives are promptly processed in the committee, without being unnecessarily delayed."

Chairperson Choo was urgently appointed at the request of the Democratic Party leadership after former chair Lee was suddenly replaced during the plenary session due to allegations of stock transactions under an aide's name. Considering that it is customary for third- or fourth-term lawmakers to serve as standing committee chairs, Choo's election is unusual. She is the most senior member of the National Assembly and previously served as chairperson of the Environment and Labor Committee in 2008. However, given her political ability to implement the ruling party's reform agenda, such as prosecution reform, her appointment was announced immediately after the controversy involving the former chair.

Chairperson Choo has consistently advocated for prosecution reform, focusing on the separation of investigative and indictment powers. During her tenure as Minister of Justice, she also spearheaded reforms such as adjusting the investigative authority between the police and the prosecution.

Previously, President Lee Jaemyung and the Democratic Party leadership coordinated their stance on prosecution reform during a dinner meeting the previous day. Park Soo-hyun, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated in a written briefing, "We reaffirmed our commitment to unwaveringly pursue prosecution reform," and added, "We decided to include the principle of separating investigation and indictment in the amendment to the Government Organization Act before Chuseok."

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