(Seoul = Newsis) Reporter Jonghee Lee = There are about two months left in Prosecutor General Wonseok Lee’s term. The Prosecutor General’s term ends on September 15. I wasn’t counting down the days of his term, but with the recent reports of his messages, I feel like his retirement is not far away.
The prosecutor general reportedly said at a recent meeting with several senior prosecutors that he “would like to help his juniors who are facing impeachment even after he retires.” Previously, he had also hinted that he would not open a law firm, unlike former prosecutors general, saying, “I will not visit my juniors even after my term ends.”
Considering the various messages, it can be interpreted that the Prosecutor General is considering his next steps after retirement for the sake of his juniors who will remain in the prosecution. Given the personality of the Prosecutor General, who has always been generous in giving advice to his juniors, there is no doubt about his sincerity.
However, I think it is not the time to talk about plans after retirement, as the president has a lot of tasks to complete during his remaining term. The situation surrounding the prosecution organization is still not easy.
First of all, the external winds that started in the political world are greatly shaking the prosecution organization. The Democratic Party of Korea plans to promote a prosecution reform bill as a party line that completely separates the prosecution’s investigation and prosecution by abolishing the prosecution office and establishing the Public Prosecution Service and the Serious Crimes Investigation Office.
In addition, they initiated an impeachment motion targeting prosecutors who investigated former representative Lee Jae-myung, and adopted Prosecutor General Lee as a witness at President Yoon Seok-yeol’s impeachment hearing.
The president directly criticized the opposition party’s continued attacks, saying, “They are violating the Constitution and the law, trying to retaliate against prosecutors and the court, and putting pressure on them,” and “politics is forcing the judiciary into a political strife.” However, he does not seem to have any proper countermeasures.
The investigation into President Yoon Seok-yeol’s wife, Kim Kun-hee, is the biggest remaining task for Prosecutor General Lee. In his inaugural speech, Prosecutor General Lee quoted Han Feizi’s saying, “The law is not noble, but the rope does not bend.” He emphasized the principle that “there is no sanctuary” in law enforcement.
However, the prosecution has been investigating for a long time regarding the suspicion of stock price manipulation of Deutsche Motors, but has not been able to make a decision. Regarding the suspicion of receiving luxury handbags, the prosecution has completed the investigation of those around her, but is continuing the tug-of-war over the issue of summoning Mrs. Kim.
The opposition party is raising its voice by linking the investigation of Ms. Kim to the investigation and trial of former representative Lee Jae-myung, saying, “Stop talking about the rule of law and just properly investigate Ms. Kim.”
If the president wants to find a justification for the opposition party’s impeachment of the prosecutor as an unfair offensive to pressure the judiciary, he must conclude the investigation into Ms. Kim during his term. That way, he can avoid being caught up in the opposition party’s controversy.
The president has a lot of pressing issues, but he doesn’t have much time left. It’s time to prepare for a dignified farewell to the prosecution organization that will take place in two months.
◎ Sympathetic Media Newsis (email protected)
Source: www.newsis.com
