[Exclusive] Sitting Chief Prosecutor Proposes Public Debate to Lim Eunjung: "Chief Gongjang, Let's Have an Open Discussion"

Jang Jin Young Proposes Debate, Staking His Position as Prosecutor
"If You Refuse or Remain Silent, You Should Step Down as Chief Prosecutor"

Eum Jeong Lim, Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, is attending and discussing at an urgent public hearing on prosecution reform held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 29th of last month, themed "What Are the Issues of Prosecution Reform: The Speed and Direction of Prosecution Reform Desired by the People." Photo by Yonhap News Agency

As the prosecution reform plan, which includes abolishing the Prosecutors' Office and establishing a new "Public Prosecution Office," was finalized at the high-level party-government council, a current chief prosecutor posted a message on the prosecution's internal network proposing a "one-on-one" public debate with Eum Jeong Lim, Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office.

On September 8, Jang Jin Young, Chief Prosecutor of the Criminal Division 3 at the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office, posted a message titled "Chief Prosecutor Lim, I Propose a 1:1 Public Debate" on the prosecution's internal network, Epros. Chief Prosecutor Jang wrote to Chief Prosecutor Lim, "I believe you would be most pleased, so from now on, I intend to address you as 'Chief Public Prosecutor Lim.'" Jang's use of the term "Chief Public Prosecutor" appears to be a sarcastic reference to Lim, given the plan to abolish the Prosecutors' Office and establish a Public Prosecution Office dedicated to indictments.

Chief Prosecutor Jang stated, "Many are concerned whether your recent public remarks are truly in line with your previous efforts to support the socially disadvantaged," and added, "About ten years ago, you staked your position as a prosecutor and requested an acquittal, pledging not to neglect the pain and suffering of even a single victim of injustice."

He continued, "In honor of your past commitment to a single victim, I am willing to stake my own position as a prosecutor and propose a one-on-one public debate with you," and added, "As a public official who has served the people for nearly 20 years on taxpayer money, I want to express my gratitude to the public by staking my position as a prosecutor and proposing a one-on-one public debate with you, not for one person, but for tens of millions of citizens."

Chief Prosecutor Jang suggested the following topics for the public debate: ▲ Whether the current legislative bills better protect the rights and interests of the socially disadvantaged ▲ Whether judicial oversight of primary investigative agencies, including the police, is necessary, and whether there is any agency better suited than the prosecution to provide such oversight ▲ Whether prosecutors' supplementary investigative powers are necessary.

Chief Prosecutor Jang stated, "We can proceed with the public debate on these three themes, and if you wish to add any other topics, you are welcome to do so," and added, "If you provide sincere and substantive answers to these topics, genuinely for the socially disadvantaged, and publicly pledge to do your utmost for them, I will take responsibility for having misunderstood you and for any discomfort I have caused, and I will resign from my position as prosecutor."

He continued, "Conversely, if you refuse my proposal for a public debate or choose to remain silent once again, I ask that you resign from your position as chief prosecutor. Surely, if you were willing to risk your position as a prosecutor for a single person, you would not hesitate to do the same for the path that affects tens of millions of citizens now that you are chief prosecutor."