"If the investigative function is abolished, criminals will become happier"
"Hope not to repeat the mistake of 교각살우"
Meeting with Park Kwang-on, Chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, on the 14th
"Please give me a chance to speak at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo visited the National Assembly on the 14th and stated, "The core of completely abolishing the prosecution's investigative function is to eliminate the prosecution." He also requested during a meeting with Park Kwang-on, Chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, "Please give me an opportunity to speak at the Judiciary Committee."
On the same day, Kim met with reporters at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, saying, "Article 12, Clause 3 of the Constitution explicitly stipulates the prosecution's investigative function," and added, "If the investigative function of prosecutors stipulated in the Constitution is completely abolished, those who commit various crimes such as voice phishing fraud, power-type corruption, corporate corruption, and financial crimes will be happy." He continued, "If our society is dominated by corruption and crime and filled with crime, the people and the nation will be unhappy."
He also expressed his intention to appear directly before the Judiciary Committee during the meeting with Chairman Park. In a briefing after the meeting, he said, "Even if the Judiciary Committee discusses the (complete abolition of prosecution's investigative function) bill, I requested that they carefully consider and thoroughly discuss various aspects and review the problems of the bill together," adding, "I told (Chairman Park) that I would like to attend the Judiciary Committee meeting and be given an opportunity to speak." Kim visited the National Assembly in the morning to convey his opposition to the bill directly to Chairman Park.
Regarding this, Chairman Park said, "We have fully heard the prosecution's opinion but did not respond directly to that opinion," and explained, "We will responsibly deliberate according to the Constitution and National Assembly Act regulations and democratic procedures." Regarding Kim's appearance before the Judiciary Committee, he said, "We will review it at the committee level and respond accordingly."
Kim also expressed concerns that stripping the prosecution's investigative rights could lead to increased workload for the police and courts. He said, "Isn't there criticism that the police's workload is increasing due to the adjustment of investigative rights?" and added, "It is appropriate for the courts to receive cases after the prosecution legally examines and supplements investigations if there are issues, but if all cases are directly handed over to the courts, the burden on trials will increase."
Kim emphasized, "If there is a problem with the fairness and neutrality of prosecution investigations, only that part should be corrected, and it is also good to enact a special law," adding, "I hope we do not repeat the mistake of 'cutting the branch to kill the ox' (교각살우)."
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