President Lee Jae-myung declared that the era of a political prosecution service had ended, as the government prepared to launch the Public Prosecution Office and the Serious Crime Investigation Office under a new criminal justice system. He said the previous structure had allowed prosecutors to monopolize investigation and indictment powers and, at times, act against political opponents.
The era of prosecutors monopolizing investigation and indictment powers is ending, Lee said in an English rendering of his remarks.
President Lee Jae-myung, quoted by Dong-A Ilbo and Maeil Shinmun
Lee said the new system should operate on checks and balances. He also warned that expanded police authority must be matched by strict external oversight and stronger internal discipline. The president called for reforms strong enough to prevent case suppression and investigative corruption, while urging the government to ensure that victims receive protection and that people do not suffer unfairly during the transition.
Police leadership responded by declaring an emergency operating regime for the new framework. Acting National Police Commissioner Kim Jong-chul gathered about 650 police chiefs and other senior officers to prepare for its implementation. The immediate test will be whether the redistribution of investigative authority preserves investigative capacity, fairness and safeguards for victims as the new institutions begin work.