Lee Jae-myung Claims "Prosecutorial Authority Granted During Japanese Colonial Era," Ministry of Justice Responds "During Gap-o Reform"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, claimed that "prosecutorial powers were granted during the Japanese colonial era," while the Ministry of Justice rebutted, stating that "they were introduced during the Gabo Reform."

On the 11th, the Ministry of Justice issued a statement saying, "It is unrelated to the Japanese colonial period."

The Ministry explained, "The beginning of the modern judicial system in our history is considered to be the Gabo Reform," adding, "The concept of 'prosecutor' first appeared with the enactment of the Court Organization Act in 1895."

It stated that the prosecutor system began with the introduction of the impeachment lawsuit structure, which separates investigative and judicial institutions, granting prosecutors the authority over prosecution rights, investigative rights, judicial execution rights, and command over judicial police officers.

The Ministry of Justice argued, "Rather, to overcome the harm caused to the people by police fascism (authoritarian dictatorship) during the Japanese colonial period, the Criminal Procedure Act and the Constitution enacted after liberation strengthened prosecutors' judicial control over the police."

It continued, "During the era of the Japanese Resident-General and Governor-General, a centralized national police system was established, and as illegal detention and torture by the police worsened amid the chaotic post-war security situation, the need to control police power was continuously raised across various sectors of society."

Furthermore, it stated, "To control police human rights violations, the exclusive warrant request authority of prosecutors was introduced in the 1954 Criminal Procedure Act and the 5th revised Constitution of 1962, thereby strengthening the role of prosecutors."

At a press conference announcing his candidacy for party leader the previous day, Lee claimed, "During the Japanese colonial era, prosecutors were granted all kinds of discretionary powers to suppress independence fighters, and these powers are still maintained," arguing the legitimacy of the Democratic Party's push for 'prosecutor impeachment.'"