Ruling DPK, Cheong Wa Dae to push prosecution reform

Cheong Wa Dae, the government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) pledged to cooperate to seek prosecution reform, urging the National Assembly to pass relevant bills.

Stressing that he will wrap up the prosecution reform, Justice Minister Cho Kuk said during a tripartite meeting at the National Assembly Sunday, “It is better not to begin the reform rather than doing it in a halfhearted way. I ask the DPK, the administration and the presidential office to join hands together and share wisdom.”

Cho also added that he and the prosecution agreed to push for the revision of regulations aiming to shut down the prosecution’s special investigations bureau at the Prosecutors’ Office and rename and change it into a criminal investigation department. He also said the two also discussed ways to downsize direct investigation divisions while pushing for the revision of regulations to get rid of interrogations held through the night as well as the practice of publicly summoning suspects or witnesses.

Cho, Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, DPK Chairman Rep. Lee Hae-chan, DPK floor leader Lee In-young, Cheong Wa Dae chief policy secretary Kim Sang-jo and senior officials of the ruling bloc attended the meeting.

Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo of the DPK, who took part in the meeting, also said Cho will announce further reform measures on Monday. The measures will be implemented under the presidential decree, Hong added.