Minister Jung Sung-ho of the Ministry of Justice said of the Criminal Procedure Act revision bill that passed the National Assembly's plenary session on the on the previous month, "It's the first time a law has been revised at the speed of light," adding, "If side effects arise beyond what was anticipated, we must promptly make fixes."
The Minister met with reporters after attending a commissioning ceremony for new prosecutors at the Government Complex Gwacheon in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi, on the 3rd and said, "The Criminal Procedure Act revision bill was designed with good intentions, but no one can predict what side effects may occur or how it will work in the field."
The revision bill centers on completely abolishing the investigative authority granted to prosecutors. Going forward, prosecutors will read the written records of cases forwarded by the police and others to decide whether to indict, and if they find the investigation insufficient, they will only be able to request the police to conduct a supplementary investigation.
The Minister said it would be inappropriate to ask President Lee Jae-myung to exercise a veto on the bill or to file a competence dispute petition.
The Minister said, "The Ministry of Justice presented the government's agreed plan during the bill review process, and much of it was reflected, so it is not appropriate for the Ministry of Justice to file a competence dispute petition." He added, "The Minister has never recommended (to the president) the exercise of a veto."
On expressing an intention to resign, he said, "My health has not been good lately due to several issues. It is a burden to perform the duties of Minister of the Ministry of Justice when not in good health." He continued, "The Criminal Procedure Act revision is finished, and it seems there is little left for me to do additionally."
Regarding acting Prosecutor General Gu Ja-hyun's expression of intent to resign, he said, "I find it regrettable," adding, "I asked Ministry of Justice prosecutors to ensure front-line prosecutors carry out their assigned work without wavering."