Park Beom-gye "Met with Kim Oh-soo, Prosecutor General, conveyed that the road ahead is long but the day is ending"

by Kim HyeongMin

Published 12 Apr.2022 16:32(KST)

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye is attending the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 12th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, said regarding the 'Geomsu Wanbak' (Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Authority) bill, "I conveyed to Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo the feeling that 'the road ahead is long, but the day is fading.'

On the afternoon of the 12th, Park met with reporters at Ulsan Airport and said, "This morning, at Prosecutor General Kim's request, we met at the Ministry of Justice building in Gwanghwamun," adding, "Kim expressed his position and concerns about the current prosecution organization and the separation of investigation and prosecution, and made a request to me."

He continued, "I shared my concerns about the prosecution," and added, "There was nothing particularly decisive."

When asked by reporters whether he would recommend the president to exercise the veto power if the Geomsu Wanbak bill passes, he said, "That is a story too far ahead."

On the same day, Minister Park met with Prosecutor General Kim for about an hour in the morning to exchange opinions on the Geomsu Wanbak bill and related matters. It is known that Prosecutor General Kim requested the meeting to convey the prosecution's position ahead of the Democratic Party of Korea's parliamentary meeting at 2 p.m. to discuss the timing of handling the Geomsu Wanbak bill.

Prosecutor General Kim explained, "I spoke about current issues and had things to tell the minister as well," adding, "I also pointed out problems regarding the complete abolition of prosecutorial investigative functions being pushed by the political circles."

Meanwhile, Minister Park visited Ulsan to tour the residence where special contributors from Afghanistan have settled and to meet with the Ulsan Superintendent of Education regarding the education of children of special contributors.