On Law Day Amid 'Geomsu Wanbak' Controversy, Focus on Justice and Rule of Law

[Image source=Yonhap News]

원본보기 아이콘

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] As the controversy over ‘Geomsu Wanbak (complete removal of prosecutorial investigative authority)’ intensifies, legal community leaders raised the realization of justice and the rule of law as key topics on the 25th, the ‘Day of Law.’

The Ministry of Justice and the Korean Bar Association held the 59th ‘Day of Law’ commemorative ceremony at 10 a.m. in the main auditorium of the Seoul Government Complex annex. About 200 people attended the event, including Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo, Park Kwang-on, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and other major institution heads, as well as government award recipients.

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye said in his commemorative speech, "The law is a promise among members of society to guarantee freedom and human rights and the foundation for realizing justice," adding, "We will actively respond to various issues threatening justice and the rule of law and strive for a coexistence justice that resonates with the people and legal administration that supports people’s livelihoods." Following him, Lee Jong-yeop, President of the Korean Bar Association, stated, "The rule of law is a fundamental principle for realizing a fair and just society," and emphasized, "Everyone’s effort is necessary to establish it properly and create a just and fair society."

This year’s ‘Day of Law’ ceremony was held formally for the first time in three years. In 2020 and 2021, the event was simplified due to the spread of COVID-19 infections. An awards ceremony was also held. Lawyer Heo No-mok, active in the Family Law Counseling Center and the National Unification Advisory Council, received the Order of Civil Merit, Mugunghwa Medal; Kim Hu-gon, Chief Prosecutor of Daegu District Prosecutors’ Office, received the Order of Service Merit, Hwangjo Geunjeong Medal; and Kim Hyung-soo, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office, Kim Do-gyun, Professor at Seoul National University Law School, and Kim Hyo-shin, Professor at Kyungpook National University Law School, received the Order of Service Merit, Hongjo Geunjeong Medal. The ‘Day of Law’ was established as a national memorial day in 1964 to reflect on the dignity of law and establish the rule of law, and since 1968, the Ministry of Justice and the Korean Bar Association have jointly held commemorative events.

Meanwhile, after the ceremony, the Korean Bar Association held an emergency press conference and issued a statement at 11:30 a.m. at the Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, sharply criticizing the ‘Geomsu Wanbak’ mediation plan proposed by National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok. In a previously released press statement, the Korean Bar Association argued, "The eight-point mediation plan is neither effective nor an appropriate means to achieve the original goal of prosecutorial reform, and the initial problems of the amendment have not been improved at all." They also pointed out, "Despite the need for a thorough deliberation process that includes balanced opinions from legal experts and the public, the process is being pushed too hastily, raising concerns from various sectors about rushed legislation."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.