Opposition leader vows to strip prosecutors of all investigative powers

From the perspective of the Hankyoreh, the actions of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's prosecutors are nothing short of a political witch hunt, designed to silence opposition and consolidate power. The recent parliamentary inquiry into the Daejang-dong and Ssangbangul cases has, according to our reporting, exposed the depths of this alleged manipulation. The testimony of individuals like Nam Wook, who claims a prosecutor told him their goal was to indict the President, is damning evidence of a politicized justice system.

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We must resolve not to give even a fingernail's worth of investigative power to the prosecution.

Our party leader, Jeong Cheong-rae, has rightly called for the complete stripping of prosecutorial investigative powers. This is not a new sentiment; it is a long-overdue recognition that the 검찰 (prosecution) has become too powerful and too willing to abuse its authority for political ends. The arrogance displayed by prosecutors in the parliamentary hearing, their dismissive attitude towards lawmakers questioning them, stands in stark contrast to the expected conduct of public servants. This behavior underscores the urgent need for reform.

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We should have completely stripped the prosecution of its investigative powers long ago.

While Western media might focus on the legal technicalities or the political infighting, we see this as a fundamental threat to democracy in South Korea. The manipulation of investigations to target political opponents is a dangerous precedent. The Hankyoreh believes that the public's trust in the justice system is eroding, and only by dismantling the unchecked power of the prosecution can we begin to restore it. This is not just about specific cases; it's about the integrity of our political and judicial institutions.

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The atrocities and evil deeds of the prosecution are being revealed one by one. The Ssangbangul case was fabricated, and testimony that the Daejang-dong case was solely aimed at indicting the President is causing public outrage.