Justice Minister: Special prosecutor bill's intent understood, but scope needs parliamentary debate

The Hankyoreh reports on Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon's nuanced response to the opposition's "manipulated prosecution" special prosecutor bill. While Minister Han acknowledged the bill's underlying intention to investigate alleged abuses of power, he stressed the need for careful consideration regarding its scope and the extent of the special prosecutor's authority.

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The basic legislative intent is understandable, but the authority and scope of investigation need to be deliberated by the National Assembly.

The Democratic Party's bill targets several high-profile cases, including the controversial Daejang-dong development scandal and the Ssangbangul North Korea-linked fund case. The inclusion of these cases, many of which involve indictments against opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, has drawn criticism from the ruling party and some legal experts. The bill's provision allowing the special prosecutor to decide on the continuation of public prosecution has particularly raised concerns, as it could be interpreted as a mechanism to withdraw existing indictments.

Minister Han, responding to questions in the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, stated that while he sympathizes with the legislative goal of re-examining potential abuses of power, the specifics of the special prosecutor's mandate require thorough deliberation. He noted that parliamentary inquiry processes have already raised questions about the potential misuse of authority by various state agencies, and that the government is also looking into such matters through its own internal review committees.

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The parliamentary inquiry process has raised suspicions of abuse of power by the prosecution, NIS, and Board of Audit and Inspection, and we find it difficult to offer excuses.

The Hankyoreh observes that this debate highlights the deep political divisions surrounding prosecutorial power and accountability in South Korea. The opposition seeks to establish an independent investigation into what they term "manipulated prosecutions," while the ruling party and some legal circles urge caution against potential overreach and politically motivated investigations. The outcome of this legislative push will likely have significant implications for the balance of power between the judiciary, prosecution, and the legislature.

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Yes, it includes the authority to decide on the continuation of prosecution.