Lee Jae Myung Calls for Separation of Prosecution and Investigation, Strengthening the CIO

"Those Responsible for Insurrection Must Be Held Accountable"
"Properly Establishing Korea-U.S.-Japan Cooperation"

On April 15, Lee Jae Myung, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea who declared his candidacy for the June 3 presidential election, addressed the issue of prosecution reform, stating, "Investigative agencies should not conduct investigations solely for the purpose of indictment," and argued, "It is appropriate to separate the agencies responsible for investigations from those responsible for indictment and maintaining prosecution."

During a special discussion with writer Yoo Si Min and Professor Kim Yong Ok (Dool), which was released on the Roh Moo Hyun Foundation's YouTube channel on the same day, Lee said, "The prosecution should be thoroughly separated into a Prosecution Office and an Investigation Office, so that they can keep each other in check, and investigative agencies should also serve as mutual checks on one another."

The proposal to dismantle the current Prosecution Service and divide it into a Prosecution Office and an Investigation Office aligns with the prosecution reform direction previously pursued by the Democratic Party. Lee further explained, "There are currently too few prosecutors in the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). The CIO should be expanded, and the National Investigation Headquarters should also be strengthened by enhancing its independence and capabilities."

However, dismantling the Prosecution Service would require a constitutional amendment that specifies the position of Prosecutor General, so significant opposition is expected.

A video of Lee Jae Myung, former leader and presidential primary candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, having a conversation with writer Yoo Si Min and scholar Kim Yong Ok, also known as Dool, on the challenges facing the new government was released on the 15th through the "Saram Saneun Sesang Roh Moo Hyun Foundation" YouTube channel. Yonhap News

Regarding the judicial handling of those involved in the 12·3 Martial Law, Lee stated, "We must devise thorough countermeasures and hold those responsible accountable to ensure that actions that undermine the fundamental order of society and plunge the nation into crisis never happen again," emphasizing, "Military coups must never occur again."

He pointed out, "There are still survivors who became disabled or suffered psychological problems due to the guns and swords of the Chun Doo Hwan regime, yet another military coup was attempted," and added, "If we fail to hold those responsible fully accountable, we could end up like some countries where coups happen every six months."

He continued, "Simply covering things up does not equate to unity. We must clearly uncover the truth where necessary and ensure that those responsible are held accountable."

On Korea-Japan relations, he remarked, "I am highly critical of Japan's actions regarding historical issues and the Dokdo issue, but on a broader level, we must cooperate. There is no need to be critical in areas such as the economy, culture, or social matters."

He further explained, "There is no need to devote all our resources to confrontation. What matters is what helps people's livelihoods," and added, "We should respect the Korea-U.S. alliance, properly establish Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation, and also manage our relations with Russia and China."

Regarding the People Power Party's banners reading 'Still, Lee Jae Myung is not an option,' he commented, "Their thinking seems to be, first, that they harassed Lee Jae Myung tremendously, and second, that if I come forward, they will surely retaliate. But in my life, I have never retaliated against anyone just because they harassed me."