Jung Sung-ho: "Agrees with Intent of 'Special Prosecutor Act on Fabricated Prosecution'... Authority and Targets Require National Assembly Deliberation"

Sung Ho Jung, Minister of Justice, expressed agreement with the intent of the 'Special Prosecutor Act on Fabricated Prosecution,' but emphasized that the scope of authority and investigation targets should be carefully deliberated.

Jeong Seongho, Minister of Justice. Photo by Yonhap News

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At the plenary session of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee on May 6, Minister Jung responded to a question from Yoon Sang-hyun, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, who pointed out issues with the special prosecutor bill on fabricated prosecution, by stating, "I agree with the basic legislative intent," and added, "The authority and investigation targets should be determined through deliberation in the National Assembly."

Previously, on April 30, the Democratic Party of Korea submitted to the National Assembly a bill titled "Act on the Appointment of a Special Prosecutor for Fact-Finding on Alleged Fabricated Investigations and Prosecutions by the Prosecution Service, the National Intelligence Service, the Board of Audit and Inspection, and Others under the Yoon Seok-yeol Administration." The investigation targets specified in the bill include 12 cases, among them 7 cases that were previously subject to a parliamentary investigation.

Notably, the bill includes a provision that allows the special prosecutor to handle the maintenance of prosecution (including the decision whether to proceed with prosecution) for cases transferred to the office. This provision could serve as grounds for the special prosecutor to drop charges.

As a result, opposition parties have criticized the bill as a "special prosecutor for dismissal of charges," claiming it is intended to nullify criminal cases involving President Lee Jae-myung.

During the session, Lawmaker Yoon pointed out, "The President has also stated that there should be sufficient deliberation and discussions on timing and procedures," adding, "This ultimately means agreement with the substance of the bill."

In response, Minister Jung said, "Through the National Assembly's investigation, suspicions were raised about the abuse and misuse of authority by the prosecution, the National Intelligence Service, and the Board of Audit and Inspection, and evidence has emerged that is difficult to refute," adding, "The legislative intent is to review these matters comprehensively once again."

However, he further stated, "Regarding the scope of authority and investigation targets, as the President mentioned, I believe it would be better for the National Assembly to deliberate further and make a decision."

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