Massive rally held to call for reform of prosecution
Protesters hold up candles, saying reform is about justice, fairness
Hundreds of thousands of people rallied in southern Seoul, Saturday, to call for reform of the prosecution and to condemn the “unfair investigation practices” disclosed during its probe into the allegations involving Justice Minister Cho Kuk’s family.
It was the largest protest since the ones that took place during 20162017 to call for impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye over a massive corruption scandal.
The public calls for prosecutorial reform may continue as the rally organizers plan to hold similar rallies every Saturday until the reform is complete.
According to the organizers, around 1.5 million people took to the 1.6-kilometer street around the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office in Seocho-dong on Saturday evening. Although the number may not be accurate, it was far more than their expectation of 100,000, and the protesters filled the 1.6-kilometer section from Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital to Seoul Arts Center.
Participants raised their voices against the prosecution’s investigation into Cho’s family, saying the unusually intense searches and “leaks” of investigation information shows its opposition to reform and giving up its unchecked power.
“How can prosecutors bring somebody to justice if they break the law? They should realize their investigative practices are illegal and that is what citizens are deeply concerned about and what brought us here,” said a 52-year-old woman, surnamed Choi, who took part in the rally.
“The most important purpose, at least for me, to participate in the rally is to demand justice and fairness from the prosecution.”
Korea is one of a few countries where the prosecution has mighty power, able to both investigate criminals and indict suspects. One of President Moon Jae-in’s key pledges has been to reform the prosecution to reduce its power.
Rally participants questioned whether the prosecution is being politically neutral in its investigation into the family of Cho, Moon’s key ally entrusted with carrying out the prosecutorial reform.
“In the name of verification, state power has been ruining an individual’s private life. Ironically, Cho has been proven to be the right man for the reform by the prosecution’s reaction (as they try to resist reform by cornering Cho),” Choi said.
The nation has been divided since Moon tapped Cho as justice minister despite a series of corruption allegations over his family and strong objections from opposing parties. Through Cho’s appointment, Moon showed his determination with the prosecutorial reform, but the allegations involving Cho’s family have increased the pressure on him.
Amid the row, Moon lent support to Cho, emphasizing the importance and need for prosecutorial reform. “The prosecution needs to listen to the voices calling for its reform although it has claimed the investigation is carried out fairly,” Moon was quoted as saying by presidential spokeswoman Ko Min-jung during a briefing at Cheong Wa Dae, Friday.
In regard to the Saturday rally, Prosecutor-General Yoon Seok-youl released a short statement on Sunday, saying, “For prosecutorial reform, the prosecution will do its best to realize and achieve the wills of the people and decision of the National Assembly.”
Yoon said he has made this position clear for a number of times since his confirmation hearing.
Meanwhile, a separate rally was held nearby the massive one, with participants calling for Cho’s immediate resignation over the corruption allegations. Police said there were no clashes reported between the participants of the two rallies.