President Sim Woo-jung: "Strengthening the Criminal Division at the Forefront of Everyday Crime... Will Be a Shield to Protect Prosecutorial Neutrality and Independence"

"Prosecutors Should Focus Direct Investigations on Major Corruption and Economic Crimes"

New Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung announced plans to significantly strengthen the personnel and organization of the criminal division for investigating crimes affecting people's livelihoods. She also promised to serve as a barrier and shield to protect the neutrality and independence of the prosecution.

Prosecutor General Shim made these remarks during her inauguration ceremony held on the morning of the 19th at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul.

Shim Woo-jung, the newly appointed Prosecutor General, is delivering his inaugural address at the inauguration ceremony held on the 19th at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

In her inaugural speech, she said, "Despite the efforts of all members of the prosecution, case handling has been delayed due to the distorted criminal justice system, and public inconvenience is increasing. There are citizens who worry whether their cases are being handled fairly and whether those who have committed crimes are receiving appropriate punishment."

Prosecutor General Shim added, "Each of us may have slightly different solutions to the problems we think about, but everyone shares the same sentiment that the prosecution must gain greater trust from the public. At times like this, I believe we must return to basics, carefully examine what role the public expects from the prosecution, and faithfully fulfill that role."

She emphasized, "Criminal investigations must be conducted swiftly and without any gaps, and decisions must be made solely based on evidence and legal principles, free from any external influence or bias."

She continued, "Furthermore, as representatives of the public interest, we must protect the rights of the people so that not a single innocent person suffers injustice. That is exactly the image of the prosecution that the public desires and the prosecution we will build."

Prosecutor General Shim stated, "To this end, our prosecution must devote all efforts to protecting the public from crimes affecting their livelihoods. We will significantly strengthen the personnel and organization of the frontline criminal divisions that are at the forefront of combating such crimes."

She added, "We will listen directly to frontline opinions, engage in discussions, and ensure that improvement measures go beyond slogans to become feasible policies that are implemented with speed."

She said, "We must firmly protect the public from violent crimes that threaten our peaceful lives, drug crimes that will spread uncontrollably if not stopped now, increasingly sophisticated voice phishing crimes,

and livelihood crimes such as multi-level marketing fraud and jeonse (long-term lease) scams that create numerous victims."

She also stated, "Women should no longer feel anxious due to digital sex crimes such as deepfake videos, stalking, and sexual violence crimes. We must thoroughly respond to prevent malicious and false content from cyber wreckers from corroding society."

She continued, "As much as punishing criminals severely, we must do our best to help victims fully return to their daily lives. To achieve this, what we must do, and what the public most desires from the prosecution, is for each member of the prosecution to handle their cases with the care and dedication as if they were their own or their family's."

On the 19th, at the inauguration ceremony of the 46th Prosecutor General held at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Shim Woo-jung, the newly appointed Prosecutor General, and attendees are participating in the national ceremony. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Prosecutor General Shim emphasized, "The prosecution's direct investigation capabilities should be concentrated on serious crimes such as corruption crimes that undermine our constitution and community values, and economic crimes that disrupt the market economy order. We must also strengthen national response capabilities to serious crimes through close cooperation with related agencies and ensure thorough recovery of criminal proceeds so that no profit can be gained from crime."

She urged, "Let us ensure that the public can trust prosecution investigations through fair investigations based solely on law, principles, evidence, and legal reasoning, conducted swiftly and precisely to excise only the corrupt parts."

Additionally, Prosecutor General Shim stressed the mission to protect human rights and communication among prosecution members.

She said, "We must not forget that the fundamental value of the prosecution lies in protecting the basic rights and human rights of the people. Protecting human rights and the basic rights of the public is the beginning and end of prosecution work and a fundamental principle."

She added, "Let us carefully review all procedures from the perspective of the public until the parties involved in cases appear at the prosecution office and return home. In particular, let us re-examine every system, form, and even font size to see if socially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, disabled persons, and foreign workers have been neglected in the criminal justice process."

Prosecutor General Shim said, "I believe the future of the prosecution is not created by the Prosecutor General or the Chief Prosecutors alone but by all of us together. Solutions to seemingly impossible problems may come from the brilliant ideas of a new investigator in our department or from a staff member who just received a call from a civil complainant."

She continued, "Let us open our hearts, discuss, communicate, and create the future of the prosecution that the public desires."

At the end of her inaugural speech, Prosecutor General Shim promised to become a strong shield to protect the neutrality and independence of the prosecution, urging everyone to unite and build a 'prosecution for the people' despite difficult circumstances.

She said, "In recent years, laws and systems related to criminal justice have rapidly changed, shaking the prosecution and the criminal justice system that has been maintained for decades. Although the situation is difficult, our role in protecting the public from crime and safeguarding their human rights must remain unwavering in any storm."

She added, "The work of the prosecution cannot be done by a single chief, prosecutor, investigator, or staff member alone. Let us join forces and build a prosecution for the people that fulfills its fundamental role."

Prosecutor General Shim concluded her speech by saying, "I promise to be your strong barrier and shield so that you can perform your duties with pride and confidence in any situation, ensuring the neutrality and independence of the prosecution."

Shim Woo-jung, the newly appointed Prosecutor General, is greeting employees after the inauguration ceremony held at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 19th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

At the inauguration ceremony, senior officials from the Ministry of Justice, including Song Kang, Director of the Prosecutor's Office, Byun Pil-geon, Director of Planning and Coordination, and Koo Sang-yeop, Director of the Legal Affairs Office, attended, along with frontline chief prosecutors and prosecutors such as Kwon Soon-jung, Chief Prosecutor of Suwon High Prosecutors' Office; Lee Chang-soo, Chief Prosecutor of Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office; Park Se-hyun, Chief Prosecutor of Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office; Shin Eung-seok, Chief Prosecutor of Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office; Jung Jin-woo, Chief Prosecutor of Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office; and Kim Sun-hwa, Chief Prosecutor of Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office. Also present were senior officials from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, Suwon High Prosecutors' Office, and the Financial District Prosecutors' Office.

After the ceremony, Prosecutor General Shim greeted attendees individually, exchanging handshakes and pleasantries.