Top prosecutor nominee undergoes hearing

By Jun Ji-hye

Chae Dong-wook, prosecutor chief nominee

Yoon Jin-sook, minister of Oceans and Fisheries nominee

Two candidates for senior government positions nominated by President Park Geun-hye’s administration ― Chae Dong-wook for prosecutor general and Yoon Jin-sook for the oceans and fisheries ministry ― underwent parliament confirmation hearings, Tuesday.

During the proceedings, Chae pledged to reform the prosecution, while Yoon promised to strengthen sovereignty of the Dokdo islets and jurisdiction of Ieodo, amid a rise in territorial claims from neighboring countries.

Chae expressed his support for most of Park’s planned reforms of the prosecution made during her presidential election campaign, including abolishing the Central Investigation Department (CID) within the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

The CID has been criticized for conducting politically motivated investigations by serving the wishes of the previous president and the governing party.

“All members of the prosecution including me will ensure it remains politically neutral. I will become a shield that blocks outside pressure or lures so that prosecutors can perform their tasks independently,” Chae said.

However, he displayed a somewhat skeptical view about a permanent special prosecutor to investigate politicians, senior government officials and business leaders, because he said some experts raised concern that this could possibly be a violation of the constitution.

The nominee said, “I believe it is more appropriate to appoint special prosecutors when necessary. Further discussion is needed to design a specific system.”

Chae also pledged that he will take steps to vigorously investigate allegations surrounding the National Intelligence Service (NIS), citing claims that it illegally intervened in politics during last year’s presidential poll.

“I will also order prosecutors to carry out a thorough investigation into alleged sex-for-favors scandals involving influential social figures,” he said.

For her part, fisheries minister nominee Yoon promised to defend the sovereignty of the nation’s marine territory by conducting submarine topographic surveys around the Korean Peninsula and intensifying the management of uninhabited islands.

“I will definitely protect and pioneer marine territory. I will also expand guard forces and equipment in jurisdictional sea areas to deal sternly with those who violate the border, such as unlawful fishing operation,” Yoon said.

Yoon was the last nominee of 17 ministerial candidates put forward by President Park’s administration to become the focus of an Assembly hearing.