"The Reason for the Prosecution's Existence is to Protect Basic Rights Such as Citizens' Lives... We Will Lead Fairly"
Visiting the 'Wall of Memory' Engraved with the Names of Members Who Died on Duty to Pay Tribute
Lee Won-seok, Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, who was nominated as the first Prosecutor General candidate of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, is expressing his thoughts on the 18th at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] Lee Won-seok, Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office (age 53, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 27), who was nominated on the 18th as the first Prosecutor General candidate under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, stated, "I will devote all my efforts to protecting the fundamental rights of the people."
Immediately after his nomination, Lee met with reporters at the entrance of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and said, "I am a person who is greatly lacking for the important position of Prosecutor General," adding, "There is no secret or shortcut in the work of the prosecution, so I will listen humbly to the voices of the people and unite the strength of all prosecution members to devote all efforts to protecting the fundamental rights of the people."
Regarding the response to the 'Prosecution Reform Act' to be implemented from the 10th of next month, he avoided a direct answer, saying, "Since I am still a candidate for Prosecutor General, I will express my position during the personnel hearing process."
On the reason for his nomination as Prosecutor General candidate, he said, "I believe the reason for the existence of the prosecution is to protect the fundamental rights such as the life, physical safety, and property of the people," and added, "I think it is intended to thoroughly protect the fundamental rights of the people and lead the prosecution fairly."
Regarding concerns that people close to President Yoon Seok-yeol occupy key positions in the prosecution, which may raise issues about the prosecution's independence and neutrality, he emphasized, "The neutrality of the prosecution is the foundation and root of the public's trust in the prosecution," and said, "Every member of the prosecution values the principle of neutrality most highly and will not only think about it but also make efforts to implement it."
He added, "We are fully aware of the concerns from outside, and we will strive to protect this value dearly."
After stating his position, Lee visited the ‘Wall of Remembrance,’ a memorial space set up at the entrance of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office building, and laid flowers. The Wall of Remembrance is a place where the names of members who died during work are engraved on a monument.
Lee plans to concurrently serve as acting Prosecutor General and prepare for the personnel hearing. It is known that he will set up an office for the personnel hearing preparation team at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. According to precedent, the head of the preparation team is expected to be the Director of the Planning and Coordination Department of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.
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