Park "Under the pretext of serving the people, scheming to create a shield by force"
"Legislative process pushed unilaterally, feeling ashamed how such a thing is possible"
On the afternoon of the 3rd, when the amendment to the Prosecutors' Office Act and the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act related to 'Geomsu Wanbak (Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Authority)' were promulgated at the Cabinet meeting, Park Seong-jin, Deputy Prosecutor General acting as Prosecutor General, held a related press conference at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] Amid the Cabinet’s approval of the ‘Complete Prosecution Reform Bill,’ Park Sung-jin, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office (age 59, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 24), who served as acting Prosecutor General following Kim Oh-soo’s resignation, stated, "As a member of the public, I could no longer contain my rising anger."
On the morning of the 4th, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Park (Senior Prosecutor General) posted a ‘resignation message’ on the internal prosecution network, saying, "While the criminal justice system, which underwent significant changes last year, has yet to fully settle, I felt a sense of self-disgust witnessing the legislative process being pushed forward arbitrarily, violating procedures without clear logic or sufficient discussion."
He continued, "I have tried to live a life of understanding and tolerance rather than dislike and hatred simply because others think differently from me, but seeing the tactics forced through under the pretense of serving the people?merely to create a shield for themselves?made me, not only as a prosecutor but also as a member of the public, unbearably angry."
He added, "In such circumstances, I believe there is no other way to resist and take responsibility than to step down from my position. Although I am leaving, I sincerely hope and believe that if each member of the prosecution does their best until the very end, as they have done so far, truly desirable results will follow."
Deputy Chief Prosecutor Park also expressed his views the day before, when the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, part of the Complete Prosecution Reform Bill, passed the National Assembly plenary session and was approved by the Cabinet, stating, "It is disheartening that the National Assembly and even the government have neglected in-depth debate and deliberation, and that the constitutional principle of due process was not observed throughout the entire legislative amendment process."
Deputy Chief Prosecutor Park graduated from Hanyang University Law School, passed the 34th Judicial Examination in 1992, completed the Judicial Research and Training Institute, and began his career as a prosecutor at Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office in 1995.
Since then, he has served as ▲Head of the Narcotics Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office ▲Head of the Organized Crime Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office ▲Chief of the Violent Crimes Division at Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office ▲Chief of Gangneung Branch of Chuncheon District Prosecutors’ Office ▲Deputy Chief Prosecutor at Seoul Northern District Prosecutors’ Office ▲Deputy Chief Prosecutor at Busan High Prosecutors’ Office ▲Chief Prosecutor of Chuncheon District Prosecutors’ Office ▲Chief Prosecutor of Gwangju High Prosecutors’ Office ▲Chief Prosecutor of Busan High Prosecutors’ Office.
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