Jinseok Moon: "Cheolrae Jeong's 'Prosecutorial Reform Before Chuseok' Is a Political Message... Legislation Will Be Completed During Regular Assembly"

"Prosecutorial Reform Framework to Be Unveiled Before Chuseok"
Signs of a Shift Emerging Within the Democratic Party

Jinseok Moon, Senior Deputy Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, commented on August 20 regarding Democratic Party leader Cheolrae Jeong's statement about passing prosecutorial reform legislation before Chuseok, saying, "It would be best to interpret this as a political message." As calls for caution regarding prosecutorial reform are being raised by the presidential office and others, there are signs of a shift in the Democratic Party's previous push for speed on the issue.

In an interview with MBC Radio that day, Senior Deputy Floor Leader Moon said about leader Jeong's remarks, "By specifying the timing, he meant that prosecutorial reform will proceed without setbacks," and added, "I think it will take more time for the legislation to be completed." He continued, "When he said it would be completed before Chuseok, I think he meant that the framework or outline would be presented to the public before Chuseok," and added, "I expect that the legislation on prosecutorial reform will be completed during the regular National Assembly session."

He said, "While passing the legislation is important, it is also our responsible attitude to minimize the various side effects that may arise from it," and added, "We are making efforts to listen carefully to a wide range of opinions on these matters."

Jin Seok Moon, Senior Deputy Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Yonhap News Agency

He also explained that the comments made by President Jaemyung Lee and Prime Minister Minseok Kim regarding the need for sufficient public discussion on prosecutorial reform were meant as a call for caution. Senior Deputy Floor Leader Moon said, "If you look at President Lee and Prime Minister Kim's remarks, rather than saying we should slow down, it would be better to interpret them as meaning that our government and ruling party should take responsible and prudent reform measures."

Earlier, during a Cabinet meeting, President Lee told Justice Minister Seongho Jeong, "For sensitive and key issues, there must be a process of public discussion to fully inform the people. Even if we move as quickly as possible, please make sure not to rush things and avoid any hasty decisions." Similar messages were delivered by Prime Minister Kim and Chief Presidential Secretary Hoonshik Kang, leading to interpretations that the president has put the brakes on the push for speed regarding prosecutorial reform.