[Editorial] Nation Watches “Prosecutors-Gate”

The Public Prosecution Office (PPO) puts itself under fire again. Kim Sung-hwan, a friend of the locked-up president’s second son, allegedly influenced a high-ranking prosecutor not to investigate 3 corruption charges. Accordingly, PPO organized a task force to find out the prosecutor(s) involved--ironical happening. Highly probable is prosecution and indictment of an incumbent chief of a District Attorneys’ Office, who was charged with wrongdoing in connection with the Renovation of Bumhak Dong, Buchon City in Kyunggi Province. It would be fair to say “Prosecutors-Gate,” a reference in a comprehensive manner, considering the current allegations against prosecutors serving not the public but the people in power and involving themselves in corrupt matters and kickbacks.

An ordinary person knows that before blaming others, (s)he should look back on him/herself first. It could not mean less for prosecutors who are empowered by the public to fight and punish crime. It is natural to expect higher morality and ethics from a prosecutor than from an ordinary citizen. Actually, it is the right of the public. When prosecutors get mired in dirty matters, they cannot convince the citizens that they are enforcing justice in society.

PPO’s sincerity in handling the Prosecutors-Gate will serve as a litmus test of its trustworthiness. One official at PPO said, “It is our determination to get the bottom of all matters.” We would like to believe this and in our will. But, PPO has always disappointed us by sticking in the old grooves. They have never brought their own guys to justice. Last year, for example, PPO’s lukewarm attitude against matters involving its own guys was demonstrated again. PPO did only lip service in prosecuting “Lee Yong ho-Gate,” which involved wrongful protection of suspects by prosecutors. The truth was not found by PPO, but by a special prosecutor. Yet another typical example of PPO’s protection is found in its lack of prosecution against Kim Dae-woong, the chief of the Kwangju High Public Prosecutors’ Office. He allegedly released classified investigation information to Lee Soo-dong, a former direct of Asia Pacific Peace Foundation

If PPO sincerely wishes to overcome this crisis, it has to be ready to bite the bullets. Putting dirty things under rug would not regain the trust of the general public. The only way to redeem itself and to regain trustworthiness again lies in unbiased prosecution and punishment of its guys, who betrayed the public’s trust and abused the power entitled to them.