Justice Minister Park Beom-gye said that Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol proposed an anti-corruption investigation office with the right to investigate and prosecute as an alternative to the Severe Crime Investigation Office, as the prosecutor general's suggestion, "you should take a look at it with weight."
However, he said, "I don't think it's a mainstream flow or discourse within the prosecution," he said.
Minister Park met with reporters on his way to work at the government building today (3rd) and said:
Regarding the argument that Yoon should maintain the capacity to investigate serious crimes by establishing an Anti-Corruption Investigation Office and Financial Investigation Office, Minister Park said that he would refer to it as "one of a variety of opinions."
Regarding the separation of the right of investigation and prosecution, he said, "This issue is a topic of overcoming the so-called abuse of the power of prosecution, especially the various problems of direct investigation."
Minister Park also added, "It would be nice to meet and talk in person, but there is a bit of regret to talk about it through the media," he added, "I want you to speak softly."
General Yoon expressed regret for the exclusion of former Prime Minister Han Myung-sook, Im Eun-jeong, a prosecution policy researcher at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, from the prosecution service.
Minister Park said, "So far, the great swordsman has been saying,'Isn't it a kind of request or protest against the Ministry of Justice?" I think it's a bit contradictory to the department," he pointed out.
He added, "Whether it is in favor of or disadvantageous, whether it is the investigation of living power that the so-called greatsword refers to, or investigations involving the wrapping of my family, the prosecutor can investigate if there is a suspicion, and it is correct to have the investigation.
(Photo = Yonhap News)