Democratic Party's 'Prosecutorial Reform Central Agency' Leadership? ... Special Committee Chair and Related Bill Proposals, etc.

Yun Hojung, Chair of the Special Committee on Prosecution Reform, Leads Plan to Establish the Serious Crime Investigation Agency
Song Younggil Co-Authors Bill for the Serious Crime Investigation Agency

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Among the candidates for the new leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, there are members who have actively led prosecution reform or co-sponsored related bills, drawing attention. Although the prosecution reform process caused controversy and public fatigue, voices calling for the continuation of the reform have also emerged.

Yoon Ho-jung, who is running in the Democratic Party floor leader election scheduled for the 16th, serves as the Chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Chair of the Special Committee on Prosecution Reform. He is a four-term lawmaker known as part of the 'pro-Moon mainstream,' and has been elected more times than his competitor Park Wan-joo, a three-term lawmaker.

The Democratic Party had settled on completely abolishing the prosecution's investigative authority over six major crimes (corruption, economic crimes, public officials, elections, defense projects, and large-scale disasters) and establishing a separate Serious Crime Investigation Agency. However, no discussions have been revealed since the time leading up to the by-elections. Some prosecution-affiliated lawmakers within the special committee expressed opinions that the prosecution's investigative authority should remain, but it was also reported that Yoon gathered the opinions of the majority of lawmakers and finalized the policy to completely abolish it. Yoon has repeatedly declared that the related bill must be passed by June.

In his declaration of candidacy on the 12th, Yoon did not mention prosecution reform. He only emphasized livelihood and corruption prevention. However, when asked about prosecution reform by reporters, he said, "I think there will be little objection to the idea that reform should be more meticulous and carried out with public consensus. Since detailed reform bills are not matters to be decided solely within the floor, we will first gather opinions from lawmakers and then consult with the newly formed party leadership based on the results."

Regarding the Serious Crime Investigation Agency bill at the special committee level, he said, "The bill is almost ready, but the decision will be made in consultation with the newly formed party leader and leadership."

Song Young-gil, a candidate for party leader, was a co-sponsor of the "Act on the Establishment and Operation of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency," which was originally proposed by lawmaker Hwang Un-ha in February. Hwang is a member of the Democratic Party's prosecution reform special committee. The bill stipulates that the head of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency will be a vice-ministerial-level official called the 'Chief Investigator,' and that regional investigation offices corresponding to the jurisdiction of high courts will be established.

Song pointed out problems in the prosecution reform process. On the 13th, appearing on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show," he said, "Prosecutorial power is a core position of the ruling party and government. The criticism is strong about why we, who appointed the Prosecutor General and the Minister of Justice, failed to properly manage and organize it."

When the host said, "It seems you think the direction of prosecution reform was right, but the conflicts and public fatigue during the process were problematic," Song replied, "I think it was due to a lack of ability to produce substantial results."

Woo Won-shik, who is also competing for the party leader position, appeared on MBC Radio the same day and pointed out that livelihood reform and prosecution reform cannot be viewed dichotomously, saying, "I don't think those who emphasize prosecution reform want to postpone livelihood reform. These are issues to be solved together and carried out as preparations are made."

Another prospective party leader candidate, Hong Young-pyo, also said on MBC Radio the previous day, "The final stage of prosecution reform is really about sufficiently explaining and persuading the public, and if necessary, I might delay it a bit," but added, "It depends on how much we can empathize with the public. Given the current situation, I don't think we should give up or proceed recklessly."