Acting Prosecutor General Koo Ja-hyun: "National Assembly Investigation Must Not Affect Trials... Deep Sorrow" (Update)

Acting Prosecutor General Koo Ja-hyun (Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office) expressed his "deep sorrow" on the 17th regarding news that a prosecutor involved in the Daejang-dong investigation attempted suicide during the National Assembly's investigation period. This is the first time that Acting Prosecutor General Koo has publicly stated his position on a prosecutorial matter since his appointment.

Gu Ja-hyun, Acting Prosecutor General, is speaking about the National Assembly's inspection related to the Daejang-dong and inter-Korean remittance allegations as he leaves the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 17th. Photo by Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

During a doorstep interview on his way home that day, Acting Prosecutor General Koo stated, "The unfortunate news about a prosecutor summoned as a witness for the National Assembly investigation has been reported in the media," and added, "As Acting Prosecutor General, I received this news with deep sorrow."

He further explained, "During the first institutional report, I expressed concerns about the National Assembly investigation focusing on cases currently on trial, and requested that the testimonies of prosecutors who handled such cases in accordance with law and principle be kept to a necessary minimum."

Acting Prosecutor General Koo continued, "During the course of the National Assembly investigation, while the court's judgments made through due legal process have been attacked based on unilateral and fragmentary claims by parties involved, frontline prosecutors and investigators responsible for the investigation and prosecution have been summoned as witnesses." He added, "There have even been cases where they have been denied sufficient opportunities to testify and have been subjected to personal attacks."

He emphasized, "The heads of each prosecutors' office and I will faithfully cooperate with the National Assembly investigation. However, I respectfully request that the selection of frontline prosecutors and investigators as witnesses be withdrawn in future investigations," and continued, "Even if summoning is absolutely necessary, please proceed in a prudent and restrained manner, taking into account the possible impact on ongoing trials."

He also stated, "No National Assembly investigation should be perceived as attempting to influence court proceedings," and pleaded once again, "I sincerely ask that the remaining period of this investigative process be conducted fairly and objectively."

Acting Prosecutor General Koo did not respond to questions such as "There are calls for the leadership to take action" and "How do you view the contents of the National Assembly investigation?"

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