By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff reporter
The prosecution said Friday that it will introduce a package of reform measures, highlighted by a U.S.-style grand jury system, which it says will dilute its exclusive authority to indict suspects.
The package also includes expanding internal affairs investigations and outside supervision of crimes involving prosecutors.
The reform measures were announced amid growing public discontent over wanton behavior as divulged in the "sponsored prosecutors" scandal, where a large number of prosecutors allegedly had been wined and dined by a construction businessman. Civic groups were up in arms that the scandal showed a sense of elitist privilege within the prosecution, attributed to their exclusive right to make criminal indictments.
Prosecutor General Kim Joon-gyu and some 1,700 prosecutors participated in the teleconference to finalize the package.
"The prosecution has disappointed the people. I am sorry about having failed to meet people's expectations, and caused trouble and concern," Kim said. "The behavior of the prosecution will be revamped and those who do not follow the new trend will not be allowed to remain in the system."
The proposed grand jury system is similar to the U.S. system, where a prosecutor has to prove the merits of his or her case in a serious crime to get an indictment in front of 20 jurors.
Additionally, the internal affairs division will be given stronger powers in a bid to strengthen oversight on prosecutors. "We will double the number of inspection personnel and set up five branches nationwide," Kim said.
Internal affairs will look into criminal cases involving prosecutors. It will be outside the prosecutor general's command and only are required to report the results to him after an investigation is completed.
The prosecution also plans to take severe disciplinary action against those who receive bribes or "entertainment" from businessmen, regardless of whether they were in return for favors or not.