[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok expressed on the 17th that he feels a profound sense of responsibility regarding the Itaewon tragedy and stated that once the case is transferred from the police, he will do his utmost to accurately determine the cause and responsibility, as well as to establish measures to prevent recurrence.
At the monthly meeting held at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office that day, Prosecutor General Lee said, "All members of the prosecution deeply mourn the victims of the tragedy, sincerely offer condolences to the bereaved families who are in great sorrow, and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," adding, "Protecting the lives, bodies, and safety of the people and safeguarding our community is the very reason for the prosecution's existence and its duty, which makes me feel a painful sense of responsibility."
He continued, "Immediately after the tragedy, the prosecution operated its own task force and emergency response team to ensure the prompt autopsy, identification of victims, and delivery to families, and is cooperating with the police investigation," emphasizing, "After the case is transferred, we will do our best to accurately determine the cause and responsibility and to prepare measures to prevent recurrence."
He further urged, "I hope all members of the prosecution will not forget the 'grief of the survivors' and maintain a responsible attitude as public officials during this time when mourning and consolation are desperately needed."
On the same day, Prosecutor General Lee pointed out industrial accidents as a representative 'gray rhinoceros' of our society and called for strict responses.
He explained, "While extremely unpredictable risks like the COVID-19 pandemic are called 'black swans,' a 'gray rhinoceros' refers to a large, visible danger that everyone knows about but usually ignores without preparation, only to be caught off guard by fear when it actually arrives. In South Korea, which is recognized as having entered the ranks of the world's top 10 economies, more than 800 industrial accident deaths occur annually, and this year is no exception. This can be considered a representative 'gray rhinoceros' within us," he pointed out.
Prosecutor General Lee stated, "Although the number of industrial accident deaths has not decreased statistically even after the enforcement of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, it is difficult to immediately evaluate its effectiveness in the first year of implementation. We must continuously reduce and prevent industrial accidents through strict law enforcement," adding, "Under the fundamental premise that 'nothing is more precious than life,' we must clearly identify the causes of industrial accidents and hold the responsible parties accountable. Keeping this in mind, I ask for strict responses to significantly reduce and prevent industrial accidents."
Meanwhile, Prosecutor General Lee praised the recent achievements of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office Investigation Division and the Suncheon Branch Escort and Duty Team for fulfilling their core duties while apprehending numerous indicted absconders and defendants who failed to appear, emphasizing the importance of working together within the prosecution.
He said, "First, it is essential to clearly assign tasks to members and fulfill those responsibilities, but with the mindset of 'cutting mountains and filling valleys,' we must flexibly readjust personnel and tasks as needed to become a 'prosecution that works together evenly.'"
Finally, Prosecutor General Lee quoted a passage from the Sermon on the Mount in the New Testament: "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men," emphasizing the importance of fulfilling the prosecution's role.
He said, "If the prosecution fails to properly carry out the 'things that must be done' and loses its inherent saltiness, it will ultimately lose the trust of the people, be discarded, and trampled upon?a chilling warning to keep in mind."
He added, "Recently, during a human rights lecture at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, I had a conversation with poet Na Tae-joo, who said, 'Salt must dissolve itself to bring out its saltiness.' This made me reflect again on the dedication and sacrifice that prevent the world from rotting and make it better."
Prosecutor General Lee concluded his remarks by saying, "Although I suffer from the baseless criticism rampant against the prosecution's work, I ask that you focus solely on the people, faithfully fulfill the prosecution's original role as 'salt' that the people expect, uphold constitutional values and justice, and fulfill the mission and duty to protect the fundamental rights of the people."
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