Former Ministers of Justice and Prosecutors General have voiced strong opposition to a proposed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act that would completely abolish the investigative powers of prosecutors, calling it "absurd."

The Prosecutors' Alumni Association, led by former Prosecutor General Han Sang-dae, along with other former Justice Ministers and Prosecutors General, issued a statement on July 15 demanding that "the supplementary investigation authority of prosecutors be fully recognized."

The association stated, "Denying the investigation that follows a prosecutor's right to request warrants and indict is not only legally inconsistent but also carries the potential for unconstitutionality under the current Constitution," adding, "We cannot help but feel devastated at this time, just before Constitution Day, which commemorates the enactment of our Constitution."

They further criticized the proposal, stating, "Requesting warrants and filing indictments are the results of a prosecutor's judgment and an expression of their conviction regarding guilt. It is an unrealistic procedure to make decisions on a case when evidence regarding the truth of the matter is insufficient."

Citing recent allegations of a cover-up by the police regarding the Jang Yoon-gi case, they pointedly asked, "Who will resolve the damage caused by the police, who hold exclusive investigative powers, engaging in 'protecting their own' or distorted investigations?"

The association added, "It is absurd to demand that a decision on indictment or warrant requests be made without supplementary measures when evidence is insufficient," and urged, "We ask the members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee to make a wise decision to prevent the unfair infringement of citizens' rights."

The Prosecutors' Alumni Association is a friendship organization for retired prosecutors, currently led by its 9th president, Han Sang-dae, who served as the Director of the Prosecution Bureau at the Ministry of Justice and Chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office during the Lee Myung-bak administration, and as Prosecutor General from 2011 to 2012.