Koo Ja-hyun, the acting Prosecutor General, expressed strong concerns regarding the recent amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act that prohibits prosecutors from conducting supplementary investigations directly. In his farewell address, he highlighted that the new judicial system could undermine the fundamental role of prosecutors and urged the prosecution organization to maintain neutrality without being swayed by external political pressures.
According to the legal community on September 22, Koo stated in his farewell message on the prosecution's internal network (e-pros) that "the bill, which blocks prosecutors' opportunities to verify facts and evidence to uncover substantive truth, was processed without sufficient review," criticizing it as a threat to the essential values of the prosecutorial system.
He reflected on the serious concerns raised by various sectors, including the legal community, academia, and civil society, acknowledging the limitations in responding to the gravity of the situation.
Koo urged his junior prosecutors to refrain from emotional responses and to maintain a calm demeanor. He advised, "The issues with the reformed system should be observed objectively, publicized, and corrected through systematic procedures."
Looking ahead to the upcoming Prosecution Service under the new system, he emphasized that "the prosecutor's role as a judicial officer will become even more important," urging them to remain steadfast against any political pressure and to make decisions based solely on law and principles.
Koo submitted his resignation shortly after the National Assembly passed the bill to abolish supplementary investigative powers at the end of July. His resignation was accepted 53 days later, just ten days before the launch of the new Prosecution Service on October 2.
The Ministry of Justice announced that Lee Jeong-hyun, the Chief Prosecutor of Suwon High Prosecutors' Office, has been appointed as the Deputy Prosecutor General effective September 23. He will perform the duties of acting Prosecutor General in the absence of a confirmed appointee.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.