Kim Osu's Resignation... Democratic Party "Opposition to Prosecutor Normalization," People Power Party "Cruel History of Prosecutor Generals under Moon Administration"

Published 18 Apr.2022 08:13(KST)

Updated 28 Feb.2023 15:27(KST)

On the 17th, Kim Oh-soo submits resignation letter... "I will take responsibility for the conflict and turmoil over the complete prosecution reform"
Democratic Party: "If the prosecution had worked hard on reflection and change, today's situation would not have occurred"
People Power Party: "This is the result of the Democratic Party trying to demonize and control the prosecution"

Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo is responding to reporters' questions as he returns to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu after visiting the National Assembly in Yeouido on the 15th to express his opposition to the legislation for the complete removal of prosecutorial investigative authority (Geomsu Wanbak). Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo submitted his resignation in protest against the legislation for 'Geomsu Wanbak (Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Authority)'. In response, the Democratic Party criticized it as "an inevitable political backlash against the legislation for prosecutorial normalization," while the People Power Party described it as "the tragic history of Prosecutor Generals under the Moon Jae-in administration."

Shin Hyun-young, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated at a briefing at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 17th, "It is unfortunate for both our society and the prosecution that a Prosecutor General with a guaranteed term has submitted a resignation midway."

Spokesperson Shin added, "It is not a responsible attitude for a Prosecutor General, who should manage the prosecution to faithfully perform its duties during the prosecution reform process, to step down like this. If he truly felt responsible for the ongoing prosecution reform, he should not have urged for any negligence in duties but rather managed the prosecution accordingly."

She continued, "If the prosecution had sincerely worked for reflection and change until now, today's situation would not have occurred. In that regard, I hope the prosecution deeply contemplates once again why reforms against them have been pursued."

On the other hand, the People Power Party claimed that Prosecutor General Kim's resignation was due to the current government and the Democratic Party. Kim Hyung-dong, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, criticized in a verbal statement that day, "The Moon administration and the Democratic Party, who tried to tame the prosecution by branding it as evil despite it being the force to eradicate evil, resorted to personnel and parliamentary violence if it did not comply with their tastes, which they brought upon themselves."

Spokesperson Kim said, "The Democratic Party knows better than anyone why the Prosecutor General appointed by this administration repeatedly stepped down. They dragged the prosecution, which should have focused on investigations, into the center of political strife, and the victims of this are the people. We must listen to the 'public consensus' and 'bipartisan agreement' that Prosecutor General Kim raised his voice for, even to the point of resigning."

He added, "This administration, which committed all sorts of atrocities to cover up its own misconduct, neglecting reflection and apology, and even ignoring the people's livelihood until the end while shaking the rule of law, will be judged by the people and history."

Earlier that day, Prosecutor General Kim informed the press corps via text message that he had submitted his resignation to Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye. Kim expressed his apologies to the public and members of the prosecution for the conflicts and turmoil surrounding the legislative process of the 'Geomsu Wanbak' bill, stating, "As Prosecutor General, I take responsibility for the occurrence of such conflicts and turmoil," and conveyed his intention to resign.

Kim said, "I earnestly hope that my submission of the resignation will serve as a small opportunity for the lawmakers to reconsider once more," and added, "I trust that the members of the prosecution will continue to believe in the National Assembly to make wise decisions according to the will and public opinion of the people, and to carry out the duties entrusted to us with utmost diligence and self-restraint without any negligence."