Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of the Ministry of Justice who served as co-representative of a group calling for dismissal of the indictment against President Lee Jae-myung, said regarding the criminal cases related to the president that he would "draw a line between political activities as a lawmaker and the duties of a minister."
In a written reply submitted on the 12th to People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo, a member of The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Kim answered a question asking, "If you take office as minister, are you willing to instruct the Ministry of Justice or the prosecution/Prosecution Service to review whether to dismiss the indictment in the criminal cases related to the president?" by saying, "I will carry out all duties fairly in accordance with laws and regulations, and will thoroughly direct and supervise so that the prosecution can maintain political neutrality and perform its duties fairly."
To the question, "Are you willing to recuse yourself from duties in the process of dismissing the indictment, directing investigations, or reporting on cases related to the president's criminal cases?" he said, "I will draw a line between political activities as a lawmaker and the duties of a minister," adding, "I will ensure that past positions do not affect case handling or personnel matters, and will determine necessary measures such as recusal in accordance with relevant laws and regulations."
Kim also reaffirmed his existing position that prosecutors' direct investigative authority should be completely abolished.
He said, "My existing position remains unchanged that, in order to completely separate investigation and indictment and to faithfully perform the prosecution's original role of 'bringing and maintaining prosecutions,' it is reasonable to completely abolish prosecutors' direct investigative authority."
Regarding the abolition of the prosecution's supplementary investigation authority, he said, "We will make every effort in follow-up measures such as reorganizing relevant laws and regulations, and will actively cooperate with related agencies to focus all our capabilities so that the new criminal justice system can take root."