Acting Prosecutor General Noh Man-seok said on the 24th that erasing the "prosecution" as defined in the Constitution could instead leave a blemish on successful prosecution reform.
In a statement released this afternoon, Acting Noh said, "A Government Organization Act bill to abolish the prosecution, which has been with the people for 78 years since the enactment of the First Constitution, is about to be brought to a plenary session of the National Assembly."
Earlier, the Democratic Party of Korea decided to place on the agenda of the plenary session on the 25th a bill to amend the Government Organization Act centered on dismantling the Prosecutors' Office. In response, Acting Noh expressed concern that dismantling the Prosecutors' Office could instead run counter to prosecution reform.
In the statement, Acting Noh said, "Up to this point, the prosecution has failed to break free from controversy over abuse of investigative authority that raised doubts about political neutrality and has not earned sufficient trust from the public. We feel a heavy sense of responsibility, will take this gravely, and will reflect with humility."
He added, "Under any circumstances, the prosecution will do its utmost to fulfill its original role of protecting the public from crime," and "Furthermore, we hope that a balanced judicial procedure system will be designed so the public does not feel uneasy, and that successful prosecution reform free of constitutional controversy will be achieved."
He also said, "The prosecution has played a central role in establishing the rule of law, not only by conducting direct investigations and filing indictments but also by exercising judicial control over police investigations, carrying out sentence executions, supporting victims, recovering criminal proceeds, and engaging in international judicial cooperation."
Acting Noh particularly emphasized the term "prosecution." He said, "The term 'prosecution' specified in the First Constitution carries the meaning of broadly overseeing law enforcement, including police investigations, to protect the public from crime," and added, "The name 'Public Prosecution Office' not only fails to capture this original function but also risks weakening the central function of establishing the rule of law for the public."
Lastly, in the statement, Acting Noh said, "With these points in mind, I earnestly ask the public, the National Assembly, and the government to refine the shape of proper prosecution reform until the very last moment."
Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho reacted that Acting Noh's statement was inappropriate.
Meanwhile, in the evening, at a plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Minister Jeong responded to a remark by Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chair Chu Mi-ae that "the acting prosecutor general's expression that erasing the prosecution defined in the Constitution is a blemish amounts to inciting a rebellion against the organization. Please strictly enforce discipline," saying, "I feel that the remark in question is inappropriate," and added, "We will study what measures would be appropriate and report back."
Minister Jeong went on to say, "I can state categorically that there is no opposition within the prosecution to the broad principle of separating investigation and indictment," and added, "Regarding the establishment of a Public Prosecution Office and a Serious Crime Investigation Agency, we are also actively cooperating to do our utmost to achieve full prosecution reform."