Prosecution’s Position

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Prosecutor General Moon Moo-il says the Prosecutors' Office cannot give up its right to oversee police investigations. However, he did not clarify his position on the establishment of a new office investigating corruption among high-ranking officials.

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Prosecutor General Moon Moo-il appeared for the meeting of the National Assembly's Special Committee on Judiciary Reform and stated that the Prosecutors' Office should take control of the investigation even after the investigative authority between the police and the prosecution has been adjusted. He essentially said that the rights to request warrants, lead investigations, and close cases cannot be handed over to the police.

[Soundbite] Moon Moo-il(Prosecutor General) : "In order to protect people's basic rights, the prosecution's judiciary control over the police should be maintained as now."

The prosecutor general instead presented a plan to cut down on the prosecution's direct investigative roles, such as conducting special or felony investigations. He said that he would respect the outcomes of the National Assembly's discussion on the establishment of an office investigating corruption among high-ranking officials. But he pointed out the risks and issues of such an investigative body and did not clarify whether he was for or against it.

[Soundbite] Moon Moo-il(Prosecutor General) : "Some say that the spirit of the Constitution, such as the separation of three powers, should be respected and that there should be no gap or restriction in corruption investigation."

Meanwhile, at the appointment ceremony for commissioned police officers, President Moon Jae-in said that giving more investigative power to police allows the police to fulfill its original role as an investigative body, thereby reaffirming his commitment to adjust the investigative authority between the prosecution and the police.