National Prosecutors General: "We Will Devote All Our Efforts to Finding Solutions and Doing What Is Necessary for the People"

Prosecutors: "We Believe All Efforts Will Not Vanish but Become a Grain That Will Sprout"

The second bill among the inspection ban bills, the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 3rd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] After the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act passed the plenary session of the National Assembly, completing the so-called ‘Geomsu Wanbak Act,’ chief prosecutors nationwide stated, "The harm will fall not on those in power but on the powerless."

On the 3rd, the chief prosecutors nationwide issued a statement saying, "If the prosecutors, middle managers, investigators, and clerks across the country had not identified specific problems with the bill, we would not have come this far," adding, "Thanks to such efforts, some toxic provisions originally included in the bill were also discarded."

They continued, "District prosecutors nationwide, together with their members, have informed the public of the realities and conveyed opinions to the National Assembly through various means such as media contributions, holding meetings, and interviews to block the Geomsu Wanbak Act," and added, "Even after the Prosecutor General’s resignation announcement, the Deputy Prosecutor General and all departments, including the Policy Bureau, have devoted their utmost efforts."

They further stated, "Although the law passed today, we believe that all these efforts will not be in vain but will become a seed that will sprout," emphasizing, "Chief prosecutors nationwide will keep all possibilities open and deeply contemplate and seek what must be done for the people affected under the new system. Each prosecution office will continue to identify problems with the bill and devote all their efforts to finding solutions."

On the morning of the same day, the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, part of the Geomsu Wanbak Act, passed the National Assembly. The resolution to form the Special Committee on Judicial Reform, which will handle discussions related to the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, was also passed solely by the Democratic Party. Earlier, the Prosecutors’ Office Act, which significantly reduces prosecutorial investigation rights, was also submitted and passed through the same process on the 30th of last month. Both bills are expected to be promulgated at the last Cabinet meeting of the Moon Jae-in administration, held at 4 p.m. that day.