Kim Yong-min "Prosecutor Reform, Collective Prosecutor Backlash Adds Fuel to the Fire"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Kim Yong-min, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 13th regarding the party's endorsement of the prosecution reform-related bill centered on the 'separation of prosecution investigation rights' at the previous day’s party meeting, "I think the recent collective backlash from the prosecution may have poured fuel on the fire."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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Kim appeared on TBS Radio that morning and explained that this was the reason why the previously dominant 'speed control theory' within the party changed.

In response to the host’s question, "About a month ago, when discussions began in earnest, more than half of the opinions were political judgments that it would be disadvantageous in the local elections and pessimism about whether it would actually happen," Kim said, "Since it was right after the presidential election defeat, there was a view within the party that those who brought up this issue were immature and hardliners," adding, "The flow of public sentiment led to such a (position change)."

He said, "Supporters continuously held rallies and protests in front of the Democratic Party headquarters and visited lawmakers to persuade them," and added, "The internal evaluations of public opinion polls and the flow of public sentiment confirmed within the party were quite positive regarding prosecution reform."

He then judged, "Moreover, I think the recent collective backlash from the prosecution may have poured fuel on the fire."

Kim pointed out, "If you look at the photos of the prosecutors’ chiefs’ meeting, they are very authoritarian and absolutely unwilling to relinquish any of their powers. They have never once reflected on their past mistakes and continue to arrogantly insist on holding onto those powers despite abusing them."

He added, "They even tried to exercise legislative power by telling the legislative body what to do, which I think only poured more fuel on the fire."

When asked if there was an option among the prosecution reform directions to "return the investigation rights back to the prosecution," Kim flatly replied, "Of course not. That is something that cannot be reversed."

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