[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae reiterated her stance that a thorough investigation is necessary regarding the suspicions surrounding the former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook's violation of the Political Funds Act, which has recently become controversial.
On the morning of the 29th, Minister Choo said in an interview on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "Since the media has raised issues that have become a social problem regarding (the former Prime Minister Han's case), we need to investigate whether there were any problems with the prosecution's investigation methods."
She continued, "According to the 'memorandum,' the prosecution summoned witnesses more than 70 times for questioning, but there were only five written statements. There is suspicion that the many processes were a procedure to align the witnesses' testimonies according to the prosecution's plan," she pointed out.
"The prosecution previously formed a 'Past Affairs Truth Investigation Committee' to re-examine cases that had potential issues," she added. "From the position of leading the prosecution organization, I believe that the former Prime Minister Han's case should also be thoroughly investigated without exception."
Minister Choo had also expressed full agreement on the need for a detailed investigation into the former Prime Minister Han's case during the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee plenary session on the 20th.
The former Prime Minister Han's case involves a memorandum by the late Han Man-ho, former CEO of Hanshin Construction, which was used as evidence in a past trial where guilt was confirmed. Recently, parts of this memorandum were disclosed by some media outlets, raising suspicions of coercion during the prosecution's investigation at that time.
The prosecution maintains that the memorandum underwent strict judicial scrutiny by the trial court at the time, so there is no issue. However, the political sphere continues to demand a reinvestigation.
Meanwhile, Minister Choo also shared her opinion on the 'first investigation target' of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI), scheduled to launch in July.
She said about HOCI, "It was established as a reflection on the past when the prosecution failed to properly uphold judicial justice. Therefore, cases involving past errors such as collusion with power or protecting insiders will be the priority investigation targets of HOCI."
She further explained, "If a specific individual's issue is raised as a (HOCI investigation target) and turned into controversy, it would be undesirable just before HOCI's launch. It would be better to proceed in line with the original purpose of its establishment."
Regarding the mention of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl as the first HOCI case by some quarters, she responded, "In that sense, there should be no sacred cows."
On the direction of adjusting investigative authority between the prosecution and police, she argued, "Prosecutors should focus on their role as legal experts and human rights supervisors overseeing the legality of investigations rather than conducting direct investigations. Once democratic control and cooperative relations between the prosecution and police are established, the prosecution should transfer investigative authority to the police."
Minister Choo also emphasized, "Seeing cases like the 'Nth Room incident' and the death of a detainee in Busan Detention Center, I felt that our society's sensitivity to human rights is still low. The Ministry of Justice will do everything it can to protect human rights."
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