Korean Minister of Justice Jeong Seong-ho criticizes hardliners within the Democratic Party who oppose the ongoing reform of the prosecutors' office, arguing that their misinterpretation of certain clauses undermines national unity.
On September 9, Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho expressed his criticism towards hardliners within the ruling Democratic Party who oppose the government's proposed reforms to the prosecution and major crime investigation agencies. Through a post on Facebook, he stated that the misinterpretation and overinterpretation of certain provisions by some members of the party, labeling the reforms as counter-reform, are unhelpful for national unity. Emphasizing that while reform slogans may belong to the party, the criminal justice system is for all citizens, Jeong highlighted the importance of designing a fair system that addresses victims' grievances while also fulfilling the responsibilities of the ruling power.
Jeong noted that the current administration under President Lee Jae-myung has achieved reform results that no previous government could, such as abolishing key prosecutorial powers like direct investigative authority and the authority to initiate investigations. He asserted that these changes prevent politically motivated investigations and allow the prosecution to operate independently of external influence regarding when and how investigations are conducted. Moreover, he mentioned specific measures taken by the government to enhance accountability and limit prosecutorial power, calling it a historic achievement in reducing prosecutorial authority and establishing a clear institutional break from previous political prosecution practices.
Furthermore, Jeong reiterated that the recently submitted legislation to the National Assembly is aimed at implementing these reforms effectively, noting that it incorporates significant modifications suggested by the Democratic Party earlier this year. President Lee Jae-myung also targeted the hardliners within his party through a social media post, signaling ongoing divisions over the approach to judicial reforms within the Democratic Party. The ongoing debate is crucial as it will influence the future of judicial reform in South Korea and the role of the prosecution in a democratic society.
