Lawyers Criticize 'Geomsuwanbak' Bill: "Even University MTs Are Not Pushed This Hastily"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Lawyers strongly criticized the 'Geomsu Wanbak' (Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Authority) bill, which was approved at the Cabinet meeting on the 3rd.

Kim Jin-woo, Policy Director of the Korean Bar Association (KBA), said at the 'Lawyers-Citizens Filibuster for Prosecutorial Reform Legislation for the People' held at the KBA Hall in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, in the afternoon, "I don't think even when we went on a university MT (Membership Training) trip was anything pushed through so hastily."

Kim spoke around 4:30 p.m., shortly after news broke that President Moon Jae-in had approved the Geomsu Wanbak-related bill at the Cabinet meeting, saying, "I am shocked and deeply saddened and angry that our country's crucial criminal justice system was handled within a few weeks without proper deliberation."

He added, "Even when going on an MT trip, we visit the site in advance, gather opinions, and decide the location after voting for or against. I feel shock and fear that the criminal justice system is being carried out like a military operation by a specific political party."

Following him, Kim Jae-ryeon, Chief Lawyer of the law firm Onsesang, also said, "I believe the currently passed law is a flawed piece of legislation," and added, "Wrong legislation must be corrected, and I expect it will eventually be rectified."

Kim emphasized, "I think there is no justification or reason for suddenly depriving the people's right to be investigated by skilled legal professionals, the prosecutors," and said, "Looking at the process of passing the Geomsu Wanbak bill, the legislators took the lead in undermining the rule of law."

He also pointed out, "People, human rights, justice, and fairness are words currently used by vested interests," and said, "These words are being mocked by the lawmakers who led the undermining of the rule of law. Geomsu Wanbak is not reform but deterioration."

The KBA has been conducting a filibuster since the 28th of last month, where citizens and lawyers opposing Geomsu Wanbak have been speaking consecutively for 30 minutes each. This filibuster will continue until the 6th.