Jung Sungho's Confirmation Hearing for Minister of Justice
"'Pro-Lee Leader' Label Makes Me Uncomfortable... I Will Act from the People's Perspective"
"Prosecutorial Reform Should Be Completed as Soon as Possible"
On July 16, Justice Minister nominee Jung Sungho commented on the possibility of a special pardon for Cho Kuk, former leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, stating, "There is an aspect of imbalance when considering the sentences received by Cho's entire family." He also addressed the possibility of presidential intervention in the withdrawal of prosecution against President Lee Jaemyung, saying, "I do not think it is desirable for the Minister of Justice to issue such instructions."
Jung made these remarks during his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee in response to a question from Park Jiwon, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, who asked whether he intended to recommend a pardon for former leader Cho. Jung added, "I have previously stated in the media that we must consider the lack of proportionality and balance between the crime and the punishment. Taking all these factors into account, I believe President Lee will make a judgment."
Jung also expressed his commitment to prosecutorial reform, saying, "It should be completed as soon as possible." He explained, "The issue of separating investigation and indictment has been ongoing for over 20 years, starting from President Roh Moo-hyun's administration in 2004." He continued, "We have held four to five public hearings and related testimony sessions per week, often overnight, and I hope to proceed quickly by reviewing each provision one by one." However, he added, "During the separation process, the principles of protecting citizens' rights and maintaining checks and balances between investigative agencies must be thoroughly considered."
Regarding the ongoing Daejang-dong case involving President Lee, Jung firmly stated that issuing an order to withdraw the prosecution is "an instruction the Minister of Justice should not give." He said, "Even in ordinary circumstances, I have believed that it is not desirable for the Minister of Justice to intervene in specific cases, especially those that could be subject to political misunderstanding, or to exclude such cases from consideration." He added, "As the committee members are concerned, there will rarely be any instructions such as 'do this' or 'do that' regarding specific or individual cases."
When asked about being referred to as the "pro-Lee leader," Jung replied, "It is the label I find most uncomfortable." In response to questions from President Lee and lawmaker Kwak Gyutaek of the People Power Party about his thoughts on the term "pro-Lee leader," Jung said, "I have repeatedly said that I dislike the term 'pro-Lee leader,' I have never played such a role, nor am I in such a position. Although I am undergoing a confirmation hearing as a nominee for Minister of Justice appointed by the President, even if I am appointed, I will make decisions and act from the perspective of the people."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
