President Lee Won-seok Visits Namyangju Branch Office... "Most Ongoing Cases Started During Previous Administration"

Separate Visit to Namyangju Branch Office Without Opening Ceremony
Lee Jae-myung Avoids Direct Answer on Summons Timing
"Please Become a Prosecution That Serves the People," Urges

Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok (center) is taking a commemorative photo with Chief Gu Seung-mo and other staff members at the Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office Namyangju Branch in Dasan-dong, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 28th. Photo by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok stated on the 28th, "The majority of the ongoing cases were initiated during the previous administration," adding, "Since I became Prosecutor General, we have been continuing the investigations inherited from before."

During his visit to the Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office Namyangju Branch (Chief Prosecutor Gu Seung-mo) in Dasan-dong, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, in the afternoon, Lee responded to reporters' questions about some criticisms suggesting that the investigations seem to be focused on figures from the previous administration, potentially losing a sense of balance.

He further added, "We are conducting investigations solely based on evidence and legal principles, and we will continue to do so going forward."

When asked about the timing of summoning Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Lee said, "Today is a day to encourage the Namyangju Branch. It is difficult to comment on this matter here," and avoided giving a specific answer by stating, "We will proceed with investigations based on the same standards and principles as usual cases."

During his visit to the Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office, Lee took separate time to encourage the Namyangju Branch. This marks the first time that the Prosecutor General has visited a branch-level prosecutors' office rather than the main office.

The Namyangju Branch, which has jurisdiction over Namyangju-si, Guri-si, and Gapyeong-gun, was opened on March 1st.

However, the opening ceremony was repeatedly canceled due to discussions on amendments to the Prosecutors' Office Act and the spread of COVID-19. In particular, the ceremony scheduled for May 3rd with the attendance of the Minister of Justice was canceled, leaving it as the only one among the 67 prosecutors' offices nationwide without an opening ceremony.

Prosecutor General Lee, who had felt regret over this and worried that it might have been disrespectful to the residents of Namyangju, Guri, and Gapyeong, decided to visit to congratulate the local prosecutors' office on its opening and to express gratitude to the staff who prepared for the opening, the prosecution office reported.

Lee said, "I believe it is proper to come and greet once again to announce that the Namyangju Branch, a long-awaited project for the residents of Namyangju, Guri, and Gapyeong, has opened its doors," adding, "The Namyangju Branch is a very large prosecutors' office overseeing a population of one million. I also want to express my thanks to our hardworking staff."

He also urged, "Like the teachings of Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, who was from Namyangju, please exercise prosecutorial authority with great caution and care, closely examining the grievances of the people, and become a prosecution service that serves the citizens."