Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials Minister Oh Dong-un on the 15th emphasized that "revising the current CIO Act is necessary."
Marking the second anniversary of taking office, Minister Oh said at a press briefing held at the Government Complex Gwacheon, "From immediately after wrapping up the investigation into the 'Dec. 3 rebellion case,' which drew a bold line in our constitutional history over the past year, it has been a breathless time with not a single day of rest."
Minister Oh said, "We achieved results including the indictment in the bribery case involving a Jeonju District Court judge that shook recent trust in the judiciary, and a heavy sentence in the superintendent-level bribery case," adding, "Internally, we have moved more dynamically than ever to upgrade our investigative capabilities, and we have built a solid weight class that does not waver before live power or external pressure."
Minister Oh said revising the "Act on the Establishment and Operation of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO Act)" is necessary.
Minister Oh said, "To fully demonstrate the CIO's capabilities and continue investigations without sanctuaries," adding, "Through legislative revision, we need to overcome personnel limits and structural drawbacks." Under the current CIO Act, prosecutors are capped at 25, investigators at 40, and administrative staff at 20. The CIO's position is that at least double the current headcount is needed to perform normal duties.
The CIO said that since the enforcement of the crime of legal distortion in March through today, a total of 69 related cases have been opened. Of these, 10 were transferred to other investigative agencies, 10 were decided not to indict, and the remaining 49 are currently investigating. The CIO explained that because the crime of legal distortion is not included among high-ranking official crimes, stand-alone legal distortion cases are being transferred to the police. However, Minister Oh said that when legal distortion is reported together with dereliction of duty, abuse of authority, and the like, it becomes subject to investigation.
Regarding the "ballot paper shortage incident" in the June 3 local elections, it was disclosed that related cases were filed with the CIO. Minister Oh said, "We are watching the joint investigation headquarters of the prosecution and police," adding, "We are at the stage of reviewing the case with a focus on whether political appointees engaged in criminal conduct." Under the CIO Act, political appointees of the National Election Commission are also subject to CIO investigations.
On the fact that, due to recent "case ping-pong" between the prosecution and the CIO, an executive at the Board of Audit and Inspection suspected of taking bribes was partially not indicted, the comment was, "There were parts where cooperation in the investigation did not proceed smoothly due to institutional shortcomings," and "Legislative supplementation is needed regarding legal procedures." The intent is that either the prosecution should be able to conduct direct supplementary investigations, or there should be a separate provision allowing the prosecution to request supplementary investigations from CIO prosecutors.
At the same time, regarding revision of the CIO Act, Minister Oh said, "This is an urgent appeal not to expand the agency's authority, but to temper the blade aimed at entrenched evils across our society to make it sharper," adding, "We are on the verge of a major transformation of the judicial system with the establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and the Public Prosecution Office, and we will ensure there is not a sliver of investigative vacuum in the course of restructuring."