Confusion Between Austria and Australia During Government Questioning
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, made a mistake confusing 'Australia' and 'Austria' during a National Assembly interpellation session.
On the 8th, during the education, social, and cultural sector interpellation at the National Assembly, Kim questioned Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, saying, "How can the bill I proposed on August 21, 2020, allowing prosecutors to recuse themselves be called the Lee Jae-myung shield law?"
Minister Han responded, "Is there any country that allows prosecutors to recuse themselves?" and Kim replied, "Australia does." When Minister Han asked for confirmation, "Australia? Do you mean Australia?" Kim answered, "Yes, there is."
However, according to the review report on the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which Kim proposed in September 2020 to introduce the system of disqualification, recusal, and avoidance for prosecutors, the country that allows prosecutor recusal is not Australia but Austria.
The report states, "Austria has regulations that exclude prosecutors and judicial police from investigative procedures if there is a concern that the fairness of the investigation process may be compromised, as objectivity obligations are imposed on the prosecution."
Meanwhile, in May last year, Kim also attracted attention for mistakenly referring to 'Professor Lee Mo' (an anonymous figure) as 'Lee Mo' (mother's sister) during the confirmation hearing of then Minister nominee Han Dong-hoon.
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