[Editorial] Demands on Nominee for Chief Prosecutor

Deputy prosecutor general Chung Sang Myoung has been nominated to replace Kim Jong Bin as Supreme Public Prosecutor General. The reason Cheong Wa Dae chose someone from within the prosecution is likely because it thought that stability in the organization is of the highest priority since it has been in a state of unrest over the justice minister's decision to exercise his right to issue an order in a prosecution investigation. However, Chung is being entrusted with more than restoring order in the organization. To begin with, he needs to take a humble look at how the prosecution looks right now in the eyes of the people. It has been facing accusations that it is too comfortable with being immune to change, and is still held back by its past.

The future path of the prosecution and the whole country will be heavily influenced by the prosecution's values and convictions. The organization has neglected the work of reflecting on its past full of dishonor and on recasting itself so that it is in step with the changed times. It has called out for the establishment of the rule of law, but it has even forgotten the fact that the ultimate goal of the rule of law lies in guaranteeing the freedom and civil rights of the people. The prosecution cannot hide that it is lost in its own arrogance and a group egoism that says its decisions are absolute and that no one may interfere.

Chung will have to spend all the energy he has on reforming the prosecution's thinking and the atmosphere there. Doing so will save the prosecution and the country. He needs to reestablish standards and procedures for detaining people being investigated, and avoiding the abuse of prosecutorial authority will be possible only after major changes in thinking. What the prosecution needs most when it comes to tasks at hand such as revising the criminal procedures law and readjusting the jurisdictions of the prosecution and the police are changed perceptions and open thinking. What Chung must particularly agonize about is whether it is right for it to be only the prosecution that is ignoring the need to reflect on past wrongs. We call on him to make the effort.

The Hankyoreh, 25 October 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection]