By Lee Kyung-min
The prosecution will complete ongoing corruption investigations into alleged wrongdoings of the two former conservative administrations by the end of the year to minimize partisan political bickering, the top law enforcement official said Tuesday.
Prosecutor General Mun Moo-il also said he will mobilize all investigative resources to serve the public interest in 2018.
“I have directed the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office to increase manpower to related units to swiftly conduct investigations while protecting the rights of those subject to questioning,” he told reporters at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.
“Starting next year, we will conduct investigations concerning issues that directly affect the public.”
The comments reflect growing criticisms that the prosecution has prioritized certain cases as requested by task forces set up in Cheong Wa Dae, the Ministry of National Defense and the National Intelligence Agency (NIS) following President Moon Jae-in’s inauguration earlier this year.
Some prosecutors and outside figures have said the powerful investigative body was only serving the interests of the liberal Moon administration under the guise of “accumulated social ills.”
The top prosecutor called for setting up a clear set of guidelines governing detention, arrest and release, in an apparent criticism towards the recent release of two high-profile figures involved in a military-led online smear campaign under then-President Lee Myung-bak in the lead up to the 2012 presidential election. That time, conservative candidate Park Geun-hye narrowly beat liberal opponent Moon.
“Given that the individual right to remain physically free is considered one of the most basic rights in a democracy, the lack of firm principles resulting in inconsistent application of the law requires a review,” he said.
The comment came after Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division Chief Judge Shin Kwang-yeol, in a rare decision, released former Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin and his deputy Lim Kwan-bin last month.
Shin released the two key figures, saying they reserve the right to defend themselves, adding they were not likely to destroy evidence, nor did they pose flight risks.
The releases followed their request seeking a review on the legality of their arrest warrants issued by a different judge at the court.
Mun added discussions should continue between the courts and the prosecution, expressing a clear difference with Supreme Court Chief Justice Kim Meong-su, who earlier criticized lawmakers for attempting to politicize court rulings according to their self-interest.
“The prosecution and courts should engage in legal discourse, given the democratic principle premised on respecting the difference of opinions,” Mun said.
A 200-member outside committee will be set up, he added, to have the prosecution in check in exercising its right to indict, one of three most powerful rights it monopolizes alongside the right to seek an arrest warrant and open or close investigations.
Mun said he would be open to accepting recommendations from the committee, whose members will include law professors, lawyers, journalists and civic group members.
Concluded investigations will come under a review if the committee requests an explanation over whether procedural irregularities were involved.