Minister Jung Sung-ho of the Ministry of Justice expressed concern about the amended Criminal Procedure Act, which abolishes prosecutors' direct investigations, including their supplementary investigation authority.
The Minister said at a chat before the Supreme Court justice candidate recommendation committee's review held at the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 4th that "a lot of problems will come up" regarding the amended Criminal Procedure Act, adding, "Judges will have to conduct investigations while trying cases," according to reports. The Minister is one of the ex officio members of the justice candidate recommendation committee.
The Minister was quoted as saying, "We must proceed rigorously so that procedural legitimacy is not undermined, but they did so-called a few rounds and amended it. How do they plan to deal with the fallout?" and, "Since the party has a position, I couldn't say anything."
The Minister had said that if the prosecutors' supplementary investigation authority is fully abolished under the amended Criminal Procedure Act, it will be difficult to protect the legal interests of crime victims. At the new prosecutors' appointment ceremony held at the Government Complex Gwacheon the day before, the Minister also said, "If unforeseen side effects or problems arise, they must be addressed swiftly."