Cho Kuk: "No Return to the Prosecutors' Republic... Opposes Government Plan for SCIA"

Cho Kuk, leader of the Innovation Party, made it clear on January 12 that he opposes the detailed plans for the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA) Act and the Public Prosecution Agency Act, which were prepared by the Prosecution Reform Task Force under the Prime Minister's Office. He stated, "We must not allow the return of the 'prosecutors' republic.'

Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th. Photo by Yonhap News

Presiding over the Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly that morning, Cho said, "I firmly oppose any system that is regressive rather than reformative," reiterating his stance.

Regarding the task force's consideration of a dual personnel structure for the SCIA-composed of 'investigative judicial officers' with legal backgrounds and 'specialized investigators' without legal backgrounds-he argued, "This is essentially giving the SCIA the appearance of a second prosecution office." He further claimed, "If the SCIA becomes a second prosecution office, a cartel will form between prosecutors in the Public Prosecution Agency and investigative judicial officers in the SCIA."

He went on to say, "This is a betrayal of the people who have fought for the separation of investigation and prosecution," and expressed concern that "if a pro-prosecution administration comes into power in the future, the Public Prosecution Agency and the SCIA will be merged to revive the prosecution office."

Addressing Justice Minister Jeong Seongho and Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Hojoong, he suggested, "Listen to the will of the people, not the prosecution cartel," adding, "That is the proper way to support President Lee Jaemyung."