National Policy Planning Committee: "Prosecution Must Undergo Complete Transformation to Meet Public Expectations"

Haesik Lee: "A Desperate Situation Where the Prosecution Cannot Survive Without Reform"

The National Policy Planning Committee delivered a direct message to the prosecution ahead of the prosecution office’s work report on the 20th, stating, "The prosecution must reflect on its past mistakes and undergo a complete transformation to meet the expectations of the public."

Im Eunjung, chief prosecutor of Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office, who participated as a specialist in the political and administrative division of the Presidential Commission on State Affairs Planning under the Lee Jae-myung administration, attended the prosecution office work report held on the 20th at the Changseong-dong annex of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Han Joo Lee, Chairman of the National Policy Planning Committee, made this statement during his opening remarks before receiving the prosecution office’s work report at the Changseong-dong annex of the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 20th. He said, "The reckless actions of the prosecution under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration gave rise to the Lee Jae-myung people's sovereignty government. I believe this is the judgment of the people."

Chairman Lee added, "Although there are prosecutors who quietly fulfill their duties on the front lines, the public’s disappointment and criticism toward the prosecution are a reflection of the high expectations they had."

He continued, "Prosecutorial power is not an inherent right of the prosecution, but rather authority granted by the people. The prosecution is not qualified to hold such immense power." He emphasized, "The people demand that prosecutors pursue only the truth with fairness."

He further stated, "In reality, there have been cases where stock manipulation audio files suddenly appeared, and the prosecution personally rushed to respond to calls from the former president’s wife. Prosecutors will only earn the respect and trust of the people when they are loyal not to their superiors, but to the public, and when they adhere to the law."

Haesik Lee, head of the political and administrative division of the National Policy Planning Committee, remarked, "During the military dictatorships of Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan, those who supported the military coup forces through legal means were called the 'Yukbeopdang.' With the advent of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, the era of Yukbeopdang ended and the era of the prosecution began." He criticized, "This shows a disregard for the fact that state power originates from the people."

He continued, "The Yoon administration went beyond targeted investigations of the opposition party leader for the purpose of eliminating political rivals and engaged in political witch hunts. Kim Keon-hee (the First Lady) showed the height of shamelessness by not even being summoned by the prosecution simply because she is the president’s wife. Intoxicated by power, the administration neglected state affairs, destroyed the economy, and drove people’s livelihoods into crisis."

He added, "After suffering a crushing defeat in the general election, the administration turned its weapons on the people in a praetorian coup, leading to the arrest of former President Yoon. Yet, the prosecution committed a bold act of betrayal against the people by immediately abandoning its appeal. Now, the prosecution faces a desperate situation where it cannot survive without reform."

Meanwhile, on this day, the National Policy Planning Committee, which has been receiving work reports from various ministries for three consecutive days, will proceed with consecutive work reports from the prosecution office, the National Police Agency, and the Ministry of Justice at the Changseong-dong annex of the Government Seoul Office. In particular, as the prosecution office and the Ministry of Justice are considered key 'targets for reform' under the Lee Jae-myung administration, there is heightened attention on this work report. On the same day, work reports from the Fair Trade Commission, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will be held at the Sejong Convention Center. At the Gwacheon Government Complex, a work report from the Korea Communications Commission will also take place.