The Democratic Party of Korea announced today (the 9th) that it will examine whether the legislative notice for the enactment of the Public Prosecution Office organizational structure decree and the revision enforcement decree for the Prosecutors' Quota Act—which maintain the staffing level of Public Prosecution Office prosecutors—aligns with the prosecution reform principle of separating investigation and indictment.

Speaking at a Supreme Council meeting held at the Jeonbuk State Office building, leader Kim Min-seok said, "Regarding the reorganization of the Public Prosecution Office, it is necessary to thoroughly examine at the National Assembly level whether there is any excessive tenacity by vested interests to preserve the organization."

Kim emphasized, "We will examine under the grand principle of irreversible prosecution reform whether an excessive organizational design was drawn up from the perspective of protecting vested interests."

Supreme Council member Choi Minhee pointed out, "Various concerns have emerged since the Public Prosecution Office organizational structure plan was released, to the point where people are saying that the prosecutors' attachment to investigative powers is as sticky as glue."

Choi added, "I believe some of the various issues raised are valid, and I request the government to slightly extend the public comment period, which it planned to close today (the 9th)."

Supreme Council member Lee Seong-yun argued, "Looking at the Public Prosecution Office organizational structure plan and enforcement decree, investigations have been removed from prosecutorial duties, yet not a single prosecutor has been cut. Logically speaking, if prosecutors no longer investigate, the organization, workforce, and budget should change accordingly."

Lee pointed out, "We must not lightly dismiss the fierce public criticism questioning whether this is merely a reform that changes only the signboard. The public is also worried that prosecutors' investigations could effectively be revived."

He emphasized, "Prosecutors must focus exclusively on indictment and maintaining prosecutions, and not only the law but also the organization, workforce, and enforcement decrees must be aligned with this principle. The public demands irreversible prosecution reform that prevents any administration from returning to the political prosecution of the past."

He further noted, "The public comment period for the organizational structure plan was a mere six days, including the weekend," adding, "It is difficult to understand whether this is sufficient time to listen to public concerns."

Earlier, lawmaker Hwang Un-ha of the Rebuilding Korea Party also submitted a bill to reduce the statutory number of prosecutors from the current 2,292 to 1,528, pointing out that despite the abolition of the Prosecutors' Office and the establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and the Public Prosecution Office slated for next month, the statutory quota for prosecutors remains unchanged.

(Photo: Yonhap News)