"How can one respond to actions driven by hatred of the prosecution and the Prosecutor General?"
Yoon Seok-yeol sharply criticizes the ruling party pushing for prosecution reform
Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is walking after arriving at the Ministry of Justice in the Government Complex Gwacheon on the 1st of last month to pay a courtesy visit to the new Minister of Justice, Park Beom-gye. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol criticized the establishment of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency and the so-called 'Geomsu Wanbak' (complete removal of prosecutorial investigation rights) as 'the destruction of the rule of law,' stating on the 1st, "'Complete removal of prosecutorial investigation rights' grants extraterritoriality to powerful forces in political, economic, and social sectors, which is a regression of democracy and a destruction of the constitutional spirit."
In an interview with Kukmin Ilbo on the same day, Prosecutor General Yoon pointed out, "The legislation currently being pushed forward is the dismantling of the prosecution." Regarding 'Geomsu Wanbak,' he said, "Even if disadvantages are imposed and pressure is applied, the prosecution does not bend, so now they want to prevent the work itself. Having walked the path steadily according to principles, they are now bringing in excavators to dig up and erase the path. If this is not the abolition of the prosecution, then what is it?"
When asked whether this legislation is being pushed because of investigations into 'living powers,' Yoon replied, "It is meaningless," but added, "In my career as a prosecutor, I have experienced many demotions and disciplinary actions, but those were personal disadvantages; nothing was as serious as this abolition of the prosecution."
He also said, "If I could stake my position to stop (the abolition of the prosecution), I would do it a hundred times," but added, "That won't make a difference. How could we respond to something pushed because the prosecution is disliked and the Prosecutor General is hated?" He further stated, "I just want to say that a proper presentation of social experimental results and expert review must be prerequisites."
Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is entering the Government Complex Gwacheon on February 1st to meet with Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye. Photo by Yonhap News
When asked whether he sees the currently promoted establishment of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency as genuine prosecutorial reform, he answered, "There is a considerable distance," and argued, "To enforce the law efficiently and protect the rights and interests of the people, investigation and prosecution must be integrated. Even if the police mainly handle investigations, in principle, the prosecution and police should be one body and have a substantial cooperative relationship."
Regarding criticism that the prosecution is conservative, he retorted, "If those in power of a regime claiming progressivism or corruption crimes are investigated, does that mean it is conservative?" He added, "There was a time when it was unimaginable for conglomerates or politicians to be criminally punished. As the public began to directly witness these individuals being criminally punished, authoritarianism collapsed and the rights consciousness of ordinary citizens was elevated."
Prosecutor General Yoon said, "Our society, which has steadily developed democracy, is now at a crisis where it is regressing and constitutional values are being denied," and emphasized, "I am not opposing the separation of investigation and prosecution or the abolition of direct investigative rights because I am a prosecution supporter or believe the prosecution should monopolize something. I just insist that prosecutors and judicial police investigators should be able to work together."
He continued, "Prosecutors nationwide are angry and worried," and said, "The public, who are struggling due to COVID-19, may be fatigued by the issues surrounding the prosecution and may not have the leisure to pay attention, but I ask you to watch carefully and take an interest so that hasty legislation does not occur."
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