Jeong Jeomsik Tears Up Over Prosecution's Abolition: "Is Abolishing the System the Answer?... Will Restore Supplementary Investigation"

Jeong Jeom-sik, floor leader of the People Power Party, commented on October 2 regarding the abolition of the Prosecutors' Office and the launch of the Public Prosecution Office, saying, "I apologize to the people for failing to prevent the demise of South Korea's criminal investigation system." He added, "We will renew our resolve to normalize the criminal justice system, beginning with restoring prosecutors' supplementary investigation rights."

Yonhap News Agency

Floor leader Jeong made the remarks during a parliamentary meeting on strategies for the ongoing National Assembly audit, stating, "As of today, the Prosecutors' Office has been abolished, and prosecutors' supplementary investigations are gone as well. South Korea's criminal investigation system is now dead." Jeong is a prominent figure among prosecutor-turned-politicians, having served as the Director of the Public Security Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

Addressing the abolition of the Prosecutors' Office, Jeong said, "There have certainly been mistakes made by prosecutors during its 78-year turbulent history. We must reflect on those mistakes," but continued, "However, is it the answer to do away with the entire organization just because of past wrongdoings? Is tearing everything down truly the solution?" During these comments, the floor leader, himself a former prosecutor, was visibly emotional—at times holding back tears or wiping his eyes with a handkerchief.

Jeong also criticized post-Moon Jae-in government criminal investigation reforms, saying, "In the five years since the adjustment of investigative powers between prosecutors and police, the average processing period for criminal cases has increased 2.2 times. Problems of police cover-ups and concealment have become apparent, but investigations of politicians by police habitually fizzle out." He further argued, "The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials has degenerated into the Gestapo of the regime."

Jeong went on to say, "While the prosecution reforms harmed the public and benefited the Democratic Party, even this proved unsatisfactory, leading to the dismantlement of the Prosecutors' Office and the abolition of supplementary investigation rights." He added, "This is a historic and grave crime, driving the public into a dead end for political gain."

He concluded, "Restoring prosecutors' supplementary investigation rights is the first step in normalizing South Korea's criminal investigation system," and pledged, "I will initiate and push ahead with legislation to restore those rights."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.