“Prosecution Must Forsake Power Beyond Its Capacity”

President Roh Moo-hyun said, “The prosecution must forsake power beyond what it is supposed to have,” yesterday.

“Even though the nations’ trust in the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution has been increasing, we can’t say that it is enough. Therefore, we need further actions to help them win public confidence,” said President Roh Moo-hyun yesterday when he received ordinary briefings from the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution.

“As one measure, I would suggest that the prosecution should avoid anything that might fan the nations’ mistrust of it,” adding, “To pursue a way to reform itself and to abandon privileges it enjoyed in the past are imperative because history calls for it now. Otherwise, the prosecution will end up being humiliated,” said President Roh.

Even though President Roh didn’t specifically mention what kinds of privileges and interests the prosecution should give up, his remarks are seen as indirect pressure from the president on a prosecution that maintains its opposition against the establishment of an Office for Investigation on Corruption of Public Officials.

Jung-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com