Democratic Party Leadership Candidates Announce Acceleration of Prosecutorial Reform

Democratic Party lawmakers Jung Cheong-rae and Park Chan-dae, who are competing for the party's next leadership position, expressed a strong commitment to prosecutorial reform.

On the 2nd, at a prosecutorial reform forum hosted by the National Assembly's 'Fair Society Forum', the two lawmakers stated that they would quickly push forward with the prosecutorial reform promised by President Lee Jae-myung during his presidential campaign, commencing from the moment they assume party leadership.

Lawmaker Jung Cheong-rae emphasized, "Prosecutorial reform must be executed as fast as a lightning bolt in the midst of a storm," stating, "I will ensure that during the Chuseok holiday, citizens can listen to the news on their car radios saying, 'The prosecutor's office has been abolished,' and 'It has disappeared into the annals of history.'”

He further asserted, "We have spent enough time debating the tasks of prosecutorial reform; any further delay will only allow for a counteroffensive."

Lawmaker Park Chan-dae also mentioned, "We must see this prosecutorial reform through to the end," offering a specific deadline by saying, "We will dismantle the prosecutor's office by September."

In particular, he pointed out, "The prosecution is a malfunctioning power; if the sovereign people cannot control this power, it will inevitably dominate the citizens." After the forum, he reconfirmed the urgency of rapid prosecutorial reform, stating, "The citizens have already given it ample thought."

Expansion of Leadership Contest and Discussions on Prosecutorial Reform

Such strong statements stand in stark contrast to the remarks made by the nominee for the Minister of Justice, Jeong Seong-ho, who claimed the next day that "the expression of disbanding the prosecutor's office is inappropriate," focusing instead on stable reform measures.

This shift in rhetoric is analyzed as a strategy targeting reform-oriented party members' voting intentions ahead of the upcoming national convention.

Over 20 Democratic Party lawmakers, including Jung Cheong-rae and Park Chan-dae, attended the forum to demonstrate their commitment to prosecutorial reform.

Attendees shouted slogans such as "Prosecutorial reform now!" and "Prosecutorial reform before Chuseok!" while taking commemorative photos, uniting in their resolve.

Experts Emphasize Necessity of Prosecutorial Reform

Experts have also stressed the urgent need for robust prosecutorial reform.

Attorney Kim Pil-seong from Law Firm Garosu argued, "Reform cannot be achieved through mere compromises." Prof. Hwang Mun-kyu of Joongbu University explained, "The National Investigation Commission serves as a democratic control mechanism in the era of diversified investigative powers."

Meanwhile, in response to recent criticisms regarding the appointment of several pro-Yoon (supporters of Yoon Suk-yeol) prosecutors to high-ranking positions, lawmaker Jung Cheong-rae defended, "The President's decisions are always right," while Park Chan-dae expressed trust, saying, "This decision by the President was made after deep planning and careful consideration."

Conversely, the Justice Innovation Party expressed concerns over this recent prosecutorial appointment.

On the 2nd, at a National Assembly press conference, Supreme Committee member Cha Kyu-geun criticized, "I questioned whether the appointments made by the Lee Jae-myung government, which emerged from the upheaval caused by the insurgent forces led by Yoon Suk-yeol, are indeed appropriate."

Kimin Byeong-gi, the acting leader of the Democratic Party, expressed reservations about prosecutorial reform during that day’s Supreme Committee meeting. He harshly criticized former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jeong, who resigned, stating, "He did not hide the true intentions of the political prosecution until the end," and added, "Before worrying about side effects, it is a duty to the people to apologize and reflect on the malfeasance of the political prosecution."

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