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Justice Minister: Law Amendments Must Be Swiftly Revised If Problems Arise
🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Justice Minister: Law Amendments Must Be Swiftly Revised If Problems Arise

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Approved/passed
  • Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae stated that the recently amended criminal procedure law, which abolishes prosecutors' investigative powers, was passed with unprecedented speed.
  • He emphasized the need for swift revisions and improvements if unforeseen side effects or problems arise from the new system.
  • Choo acknowledged that while the law was designed with good intentions, its practical implementation and potential consequences remain unpredictable.

Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae acknowledged the rapid passage of the amended criminal procedure law, which effectively abolishes prosecutors' investigative powers, including supplementary investigation rights. "This is likely the first time the criminal procedure law has been amended at the speed of light," Choo remarked on August 3rd.

This is likely the first time the criminal procedure law has been amended at the speed of light.

— Justice Minister Choo Mi-aeCommenting on the unprecedented speed of the legislative process for the criminal procedure law amendment.

Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Justice in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, following a ceremony for newly appointed prosecutors, Choo stressed the importance of adaptability. "If side effects or problems emerge that go beyond our predictions, we must swiftly revise and supplement the law," he stated. He conceded that while the new system was designed with good intentions, "no one can predict what side effects might arise or how it will function in practice."

If side effects or problems emerge that go beyond our predictions, we must swiftly revise and supplement the law.

— Justice Minister Choo Mi-aeHighlighting the need for flexibility and rapid adjustments to the new legal framework.

Choo underscored the critical role of the criminal justice system in protecting citizens' lives, property, and safety. "The criminal justice system is too important for protecting the lives, property, and safety of the people," he said. "If side effects emerge that worsen victims' suffering, we must fix them quickly."

The criminal justice system is too important for protecting the lives, property, and safety of the people. If side effects emerge that worsen victims' suffering, we must fix them quickly.

— Justice Minister Choo Mi-aeEmphasizing the paramount importance of the justice system and the need to address any negative impacts on victims.

Regarding calls from some opposition parties for President Lee Jae-myung to exercise his veto power against the amendment, Choo drew a line. "Since the inception of the veto system in law, no minister belonging to the government has ever recommended the exercise of a veto power," he stated, indicating the ministry's stance on the matter.

Since the inception of the veto system in law, no minister belonging to the government has ever recommended the exercise of a veto power.

— Justice Minister Choo Mi-aeResponding to questions about potential presidential vetoes of the law.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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