Interior Minister: Prosecutors don't need supplementary investigation powers

Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung has reiterated his position that prosecutors should not retain supplementary investigation powers, asserting that they possess ample means to control police investigations through existing legal instruments. Yun stated that the Ministry of the Interior has consistently maintained this stance in discussions within the government.

Yun emphasized that prosecutors have numerous judicial control mechanisms beyond supplementary investigation rights, specifically citing the power to request arrest warrants and the right to indict. He also pointed out that the recently announced police reform plan includes provisions allowing for the request of changes to investigation teams or offices if investigations are not proceeding properly. Furthermore, he mentioned the possibility of forming joint investigative units where prosecutors and investigators can work together.

"I do not believe that prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers are the only way to correct flawed police investigations," Yun argued. "There are many other means available, and to claim that only prosecutors' investigative powers are the solution without utilizing any of them is fundamentally problematic." He added that the ministry believes these other tools are sufficient for oversight.

Regarding the establishment of the new investigative agencies, the Ministry of Serious Crimes and the Prosecution Office, Yun provided an update on the preparations. He mentioned that while office spaces for six locations are required, negotiations are ongoing for the Suwon location due to site issues, with the remaining five locations either contracted or in the final stages of contracting. "We plan to begin the appointment process from the end of next month," Yun said, adding that procedures to solicit applications from current prosecutors for positions in the new agencies are also in progress. The core functions of the Criminal Justice Information System (KICS) are expected to be operational with the launch of the new agencies, with the system expected to be fully established by the end of the year.