[Editorial] Conflict between President and Prosecutor-General?

The conflict between President Roh Moo-hyun and Prosecutor-General Song Kwang-soo has turned serious as Song directly refuted President Roh’s proposal for the repeal of the central investigation department of Song’s office. President Roh said at a Cabinet meeting, “The prosecutor-general, who has enormous power, resorted to extreme language and effectively weakened the national disciple. We are concerned that the unprecedented conflict between the president and the prosecutor-general will destabilize and hurt the prosecution’s independence.”

“If I am criticized by the public, I will cut off my own throat,” Song said, alluding that he would resign before he serves out his term, depending on how the situation evolves. President Roh’s reference to the secure term of office of the prosecutor-general also underlies the same warning. Both Roh’s and Song’s remarks are inappropriate, in that they combine to harm the spirit of the secure two-year term of the prosecutor-general.

The president’s remarks ended the controversy over whether the government has planed to repeal the central investigation department of the prosecutor-general’s office. It appears that the government is considering a reduction in the functions of the central investigation unit or a complete dissolution of it by launching an investigation unit for high-profile corruption cases within the government’s anti-corruption commission. However, the launching of the new investigation unit aimed at senior officials and the president’s family and inner circles would not make a valid reason for the dissolution of the central investigation department.

The central investigation department has been praised to improve the transparency of political donations by launching probes into presidential campaign funds for the first time in constitutional history. Although it raised concerns over impartiality, it was the first time for the prosecution to defy the political power that is still alive and kicking. The move to repeal the central investigation unit will be translated into a suspicious attempt to transfer its functions to an organization that will be directly under the supervision of the president.

Reforms at the prosecutions should be openly discussed with a variety of proposals. Another worsening in the president-prosecutor-general conflict must be avoided.