'Dissatisfaction from Various Sectors over the "Inspection Ban Mediation Plan"... Ahn Criticizes at Transition Committee, Saying "A Breathing Space for Criminals"'

Ahn Cheol-soo, Chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, is expressing his gratitude to the reporters who came to offer condolences for his father's passing at the joint press conference hall of the Transition Committee in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 24th. Photo by Transition Committee Press Corps

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[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 24th, Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, voiced criticism for the first time within the committee regarding the ruling and opposition parties' compromise on the Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Rights (Geomsu Wanbak) law.

As various sectors including the legal community, academia, and civil society recently pointed out that "the compromise is not significantly different from the original Democratic Party proposal and is expected to harm the public, yet the Transition Committee has not taken a clear stance," Chairman Ahn expressed his personal opinion while avoiding controversy over the committee's involvement in the National Assembly.

On the 24th, at a press conference held at the Transition Committee office in Tongui-dong, Seoul, Chairman Ahn said, "I would like to share my personal opinion, not as the chairman of the Transition Committee," and strongly criticized the Geomsu Wanbak.

The two main points of Ahn's criticism regarding Geomsu Wanbak were the "loss of checks and balances among investigative agencies" and "conflicts of interest involving politicians." While emphasizing the necessity of reforming powerful institutions such as the prosecution, he pointed out, "If many prosecutorial powers are transferred to the police, the issue of how to maintain checks and balances over the police remains." He also stated, "Politicians exempting themselves from prosecution investigations is precisely a conflict of interest."

Following the adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and police, the prosecution has retained investigative rights over the "six major crimes" (corruption, economic crimes, public officials, elections, defense projects, and major disasters) since January. However, according to the compromise, the prosecution will only be able to investigate corruption and economic crimes. Even for corruption and economic crimes, if a separate investigative agency is established, the prosecution will lose all direct investigative rights.

Chairman Ahn emphasized that since this concerns the most fundamental part of the judicial system, more time and public discussion are necessary, warning, "If the bill passes as is, it will give criminals room to breathe during the implementation process."

President-elect Yoon also indirectly expressed concerns through spokesperson Bae Hyun-jin on the same day, stating, "The president-elect is carefully listening to and observing the process along with the public's concerns. With the inauguration approaching, he will take responsibility and make every effort to uphold constitutional values that the public worries about after taking office."

Until now, President-elect Yoon's side had refrained from commenting to avoid falling into the ruling party's frame that a prosecution-background president-elect is protecting the prosecution, and to send a message of cooperation with the National Assembly.

However, as criticism from various sectors intensified, it appears that both President-elect Yoon's side and Chairman Ahn cautiously expressed opposition. The Transition Committee has previously criticized the Democratic Party's original Geomsu Wanbak proposal three times as a "destruction of the constitution," "legislative coup," and "legislative rampage."

An official from the Transition Committee said, "If the chairman were to take a position on the National Assembly's compromise, it might appear as reflecting the president-elect's intentions, so Chairman Ahn announced it as his personal opinion. He must have spoken because he saw problems after thoroughly reviewing the compromise."

Within the People Power Party, which agreed to the compromise, voices are emerging calling for a reconsideration of whether to accept the Geomsu Wanbak compromise law. Floor leader Kwon Seong-dong said on the day, "We reluctantly conceded because we judged that with skillful management, the public's harm could be minimized," but party leader Lee Jun-seok stated, "Although the Geomsu Wanbak discussion passed at our party's caucus, given the serious contradictions, further legislative promotion is impossible. We will reconsider this negotiation at tomorrow's Supreme Council meeting."

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