Minister Jung Sung-ho of the Ministry of Justice on the 11th called the "prosecution cancellation transaction theory" raised on YouTuber Kim Ou-joon's show "bewildering and absurd, beyond which it is not appropriate to describe," adding it was "a matter not even worth discussing."
The Minister met reporters in front of the Ministry of Justice at the Government Complex Gwacheon that afternoon and said, "Isn't it strange in itself to link the cancellation of prosecution in a case related to the president with supplementary investigation authority for (Public Prosecution Office prosecutors)?"
Earlier, a former reporter appeared on Kim Ou-joon's YouTube show the previous day and said, "A senior government official who can only be seen as one of President Lee's closest aides recently conveyed to a number of senior prosecutors a message saying, 'Cancel the prosecution (in President Lee's case),'" arguing, "Prosecutors will think, 'The Lee Jae-myung administration wants to have a transaction with us.'"
Regarding the remarks, the Minister said, "I don't know on what grounds that was said, but it is a highly inappropriate claim that does not fit reality."
When asked, "Do you think prosecution cancellation is necessary in President Lee's case?" the Minister said, "It is for prosecutors to decide, and if prosecutorial authority has been excessively misused or abused, prosecution can be canceled."
He added, "However, as Minister of Justice, I have no intention whatsoever to direct that a particular case be canceled or not canceled, and I have no such thought," and said, "All the more so regarding a specific case involving the president, the Minister is not in a position to say cancel or not cancel prosecution."
When asked whether he would look into the background for how such claims emerged, the Minister said, "Isn't it absurd to investigate how this became an issue? It does not seem appropriate. It is impossible."
Regarding the "prosecution cancellation transaction theory," the Minister said, "I hope there will be no situation where, because of this, truly important debates on prosecutorial reform go awry and veer off in the wrong direction."
On whether supplementary investigation authority should be granted to prosecutors of the Public Prosecution Office to be established after the Prosecution Service is abolished in Oct., the Minister said, "As the president noted, the point is not to strip all powers from the prosecution," adding, "I hope we can discuss in depth how to design a system that prevents wrongful victims or suspects and protects the human rights of all people."
Hard-liners in the Democratic Party of Korea, including Rep. Choo Mi-ae, chair of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, oppose the government's bills on the Serious Crime Investigation Agency and the Public Prosecution Office. The Minister said, "There seems to be a bit of misunderstanding about the bills," adding, "I think we can narrow differences in understanding during discussions and come up with alternatives."