"Prosecutors Must Perform Their Duties Without Political Interference"
If the Corruption Investigation Office Fails to Escape Politicization, Abolition May Follow
Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is announcing policy pledges related to "realizing justice trusted by the people and serving the people" at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 14th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Hyunji Kwon] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, announced on the 14th that he would push for the abolition of the High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Office (HOCI) if its problems are not resolved, emphasizing the abolition of the Ministry of Justice Minister’s authority to direct investigations on specific cases.
At a press conference held at the People Power Party headquarters, Candidate Yoon stated, "Article 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea stipulates that all power comes from the people. Judicial power is also granted by the people and therefore must be exercised solely for the people, but the reality is otherwise," as he unveiled his judicial reform pledges.
Having served as Prosecutor General before entering politics, Candidate Yoon drew attention by pledging to strengthen prosecutorial independence and political neutrality. He promised to abolish the Ministry of Justice Minister’s authority to direct investigations on specific cases and to grant the Prosecutor General the authority to draft the prosecution’s budget. In response to concerns that granting independent budget authority to the prosecution might lead to a "prosecutor republic," Yoon said, "The term 'prosecutor republic' refers to the public security prosecution during the authoritarian regime long ago. Whether the prosecution functions as the people's prosecution and a fair prosecution depends on how much political power refrains from interference and respects independence and political neutrality."
He also pledged to improve the High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Office, stating, "We will abolish the toxic clause that requires the HOCI to be notified and receive approval for ongoing investigations by the police and prosecution, allowing the HOCI to take priority in investigations, and transform the police and prosecution into genuine investigative agencies capable of investigating corruption cases involving public officials." This implies that the clause may allow the HOCI to obstruct police and prosecution investigations. He added that if the problems of the HOCI continue to surface, he would even push for its abolition. Yoon said, "If the HOCI fails to escape politicization and conducts wiretapping on all opposition party lawmakers, we will hold it accountable and push for its abolition."
Furthermore, Yoon said, "To enable customized professional trials for the people, we will reorganize family courts into integrated family courts to create specialized courts. The integrated family courts will provide one-stop resolution for disputes involving children, juveniles, and families, offering judicial treatment like a general hospital."
In addition, to realize ‘judicial services,’ he proposed ▲establishing a maritime specialized court ▲setting up a headquarters for crime prevention and environmental improvement projects ▲assigning senior police officers of rank superintendent or higher to patrol duties ▲establishing a responsible investigation system at the police and prosecution investigation stages ▲setting up an administrative appeals board ▲creating a comprehensive legal aid organization ▲and establishing a special organization for investigating power-related sex crimes and supporting victims.
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