Ministry of Justice Abruptly Postpones Prosecutors' Meeting Citing COVID-19 Response Reasons

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Ministry of Justice abruptly postponed the nationwide prosecutors' chiefs meeting scheduled for the 21st, citing the response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the afternoon of the 19th, the Ministry of Justice stated, "A serious emergency situation has occurred with 15 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions today, raising concerns about community transmission with unidentified infection routes," adding, "It is urgent for the frontline prosecutors' chiefs to thoroughly respond to the spread of the coronavirus in their jurisdictions, so we have decided to temporarily postpone the nationwide prosecutors' chiefs meeting."

Minister Choo Mi-ae had planned to hold the 'Nationwide Prosecutors' Chiefs Meeting on Prosecutorial Reform' on the afternoon of the 21st in the Ministry of Justice's 7th-floor main conference room. The meeting was intended to share opinions with frontline prosecutors' chiefs on a decentralized criminal justice system, the adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and police, the enactment of subordinate laws related to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gong-su-cheo), and improvements to prosecutorial investigative practices and organizational culture. After the meeting, a dinner lasting about 2 to 3 hours was also planned.

The Ministry of Justice emphasized, "The nationwide prosecutors' chiefs meeting will definitely be held once the novel coronavirus infection situation enters a lull."