[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Jin-wook, head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (Gong-su-cheo), sparked controversy after shedding tears while singing a hymn at the New Year's opening ceremony on the 2nd. In response, Hong Joon-pyo, mayor of Daegu, raised the issue of abolishing Gong-su-cheo, calling it an "absurd behavior."
On the 6th, Mayor Hong stated on his social media (SNS), "Gong-su-cheo, which does nothing but sits as a redundant institution wasting taxpayers' money, should now be abolished," expressing his opinion.
He added, "It was a symbolic institution of the left-wing regime, but it has no investigative function or capability, so why should we continue to tolerate this redundant institution within the prosecution and police?" He further pointed out, "Especially considering the recent absurd behavior of the head of Gong-su-cheo, isn't it even more so?"
The "absurd behavior" Mayor Hong referred to was the incident at the Gong-su-cheo opening ceremony held on the 2nd. At the ceremony, Director Kim, while delivering his New Year's address, became emotional and shed tears while singing the hymn "Lord, with Your Good Power," based on a poem by Pastor Bonhoeffer. Pastor Bonhoeffer was a figure who resisted the Nazis and was executed.
Singing a hymn based on a poem by a person executed by the Nazis could have sparked political controversy, but instead, the controversy arose elsewhere. The Buddhist community expressed discomfort, claiming that a public official violated "political neutrality."
The Jogye Order issued a statement under the name of Ven. Dosim, chairman of the Religious Peace Committee, saying, "The head of Gong-su-cheo should do his utmost to maintain political and religious neutrality more than anyone else, but revealing his personal religion without filter at an official event is inexcusable," and called for his resignation.
Gong-su-cheo has faced controversy as a "redundant institution" since its establishment, and despite being in operation for two years, it has failed to produce significant results. As a result, calls for its abolition have been steadily raised, mainly from the ruling party. President Yoon Seok-youl pledged during his candidacy to abolish Article 24 of the Gong-su-cheo Act, which grants priority investigative authority to Gong-su-cheo, and the Ministry of Justice announced abolition plans in its work report.
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