Pushing for the Establishment of the Office of Public Prosecution and the Serious Crimes Investigation Office
Heo Hyung: "It Was a Political Organization Protecting Those in Power"
Responsibility for Passing the Three Special Counsel Bills Lies with the Prosecution
The Democratic Party of Korea has reaffirmed its commitment to prosecutorial reform at a level tantamount to "dismantlement." Hyung Heo, Chief Deputy Floor Leader of the Democratic Party, stated, "We will completely separate investigation and prosecution by establishing the Office of Public Prosecution and the Serious Crimes Investigation Office, and dismantle the unchecked power of the prosecution."
On June 19, during a policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly, Representative Heo raised issues with the prosecution's investigation, referencing the presentation of an audio recording related to Kim Keonhee by the prosecution, as well as investigations into insurrection involving former President Yoon Sukyeol and others.
Regarding Kim Keonhee, he said, "The audio recording of Kim Keonhee, secured by the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, proved everything. There was decisive physical evidence in the case that the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office claimed lacked evidence, including instructions for profit distribution, delegation of account management, and circumstances suggesting stock price manipulation." He added, "It is not that the prosecution was unaware. They knew and deliberately ignored it." He continued, "Not only did they fail to secure the recording, but they also did not even look into suspicious financial flows," emphasizing, "There was only one reason: to protect both Yoon Sukyeol and Kim Keonhee."
Regarding the insurrection investigation, he cited suspicions raised by former Army Special Warfare Commander Kwak Jungkeun, stating, "The inadequacy of investigations into the criminal acts of those in power, the destruction of the Constitution, and the threats posed to the nation and its people by Yoon Sukyeol and his key collaborators is being revealed everywhere." He continued, "There is overwhelming evidence that the prosecution acted not as an institution seeking the truth, but as a political organization serving power."
Referring to the need for a special counsel investigation into related suspicions, Chief Deputy Floor Leader Heo stated, "The responsibility for the National Assembly passing the three special counsel bills lies entirely with the prosecution," adding, "Their corruption, collusion with those in power, and moral decay made the special counsel inevitable." He continued, "The prosecution, which has served as a shield for the administration and a private law firm for those in power, has deceived the people," and declared, "The situation now requires not just reform, but dismantlement."
In this context, prosecutorial reform was emphasized. Hyung Heo, who is in charge of policy for the Democratic Party's floor leadership, stated, "The Democratic Party will completely separate investigation and prosecution by establishing the Office of Public Prosecution and the Serious Crimes Investigation Office, and dismantle the unchecked power of the prosecution," adding, "Without prosecutorial reform, there can be no truth, no justice, and no democracy." He further said, "It is time to put an end to the absurdity and arrogance of Yoon Sukyeol walking free while refusing to cooperate with investigations, and Kim Keonhee using illness and hospitalization as a shield to place herself above the law," pledging, "The Democratic Party will achieve the prosecutorial reform that the people want, together with the people."
Moon Geumjoo, the Democratic Party's Chief Spokesperson for the Floor, also told reporters, "Once the chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee is appointed, we expect the matter to be handled swiftly in close consultation with the leadership within the committee."
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