[전문] Chu Mi-ae leaves, aiming at the prosecution until the end “It was always a regret”

“It has set a clear and irreversible precedent that calls for the normalization of the prosecution by exercising the secretary’s democratic control over the prosecution.”

Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, who was about to retire, self-admired his investigative command power, which he exercised while confronting Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol throughout his term in Imsa Lee on the 27th. During his tenure, there were six cases in total, including the alleged prosecutors’ association with Channel A, the Lime prosecutor’s lobby case, and Yoon’s wife and mother-in-law related cases.

“There was a big and small turmoil against reform (in this process), but no one can resist the fierce wave of the spirit of the times, longing for justice and democracy,” said Minister Chu. Imsa Lee’s main keyword was focused on legal reform, especially’prosecution reform’. Furthermore, bitter voices toward the prosecution also came out.

In his inauguration address, Minister Chu emphasized, “In his inauguration address, he emphasized that the prosecution must be together for reform. “I always have a regretful heart,” he said. “Based on that regret, I made three major reforms to go to the public prosecution.

In addition, referring to the establishment of a high-ranking public officials criminal investigation office and the adjustment of the prosecution authority as major achievements, he emphasized “The dedication and hard work of Park Sang-ki and former Minister Cho Kuk who served as the welcome for the prosecution reform through all kinds of hardships.”

The last request was also’reform’. Minister Chu said, “There can be resistance to all reforms,” ​​he said. “But even though there is eternal reform, there cannot be eternal resistance.” To conclude, the late President Kim Dae-jung, a’political teacher’, concluded with the words “We should not be discouraged when we need to regret, we should not be nervous when we need to be patient, and should not hesitate when we need to move forward.” It’s a phrase added to the front of the word “go back to being a politician.” The following is the full text of Mr. Cho’s Lee Lim-sa.

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▲ Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae is leaving the conference hall after finishing the general meeting of the Legislative Judicial Council held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on January 8.
Ⓒ Joint coverage photo	View related photos

Ⅰ
Dear Legal Family! This is Miae Chu, the Minister of Justice.

A year ago, I pledged to realize a’comfortable country where the people are respected’ and’a fair society centered on human rights and people’s livelihood’. <인권, 민생, 법치> Based on these three principles, we have been running to solve the legal innovation task ahead of us, but we will humbly look back to see if we have met all the standards of the people. What is clear, however, is that our legal families have made every effort to reform the legal affairs and the prosecution, which have been delayed for the past several decades under the given circumstances.

First of all, the Moon Jae-in administration’s first pledge, the high-ranking officials criminal investigation office, was launched, and solid results were achieved in the legal and institutional aspects, such as the adjustment of the prosecutor’s and police officers’ right to reform power institutions. In order to exercise the prosecutor’s right centered on human rights and public welfare, the Criminal and Tribunal Department has been strengthened, and various institutional mechanisms have been established to ensure the human rights of the people in the investigation process.

We have endeavored to create an environment that is safe from crime by strictly responding to crimes against women and children such as’N Room’ and’Child Abuse’, and establishing an intensive management and supervision system for high-risk criminals. In addition, by implementing the alternative service system for the first time and expanding economic and psychological support for victims of crime, we have laid the foundation for a leap into a human rights society.

In particular, amid the unprecedented pandemic of COVID-19, we have actively implemented measures that put public safety first, such as promptly managing immigration and strict quarantine offenses. The collective infection incident in the eastern detention center is very painful, but it should be taken as a valuable lesson for us to look back on the human rights situation of prisoners and the poor environment of the prison facilities.

In addition, it has set a clear and irreversible historical precedent that calls for the normalization of the prosecution by exercising the power of democratic control over the prosecution of the minister who had been privately cultured. There have been both big and small fuss against reforms, but no one can resist the fierce wave of the spirit of the times, longing for justice and democracy.

It’s all thanks to your passion and dedication. Once again, I would like to express my deep gratitude for your hard work.

Above all, I am pleased that the untiring support of the people and the dedication of the legal family have been able to lay the foundation for a prosecution reform that will remain in history. I am deeply grateful for the dedication and hard work of President Moon Jae-in, who gave me the role of reforming the prosecutors’ office, and Park Sang-sang, who served as the welcome for the prosecution reform through all kinds of hardships.

Now, based on the legal and institutional reforms achieved so far, the reform of the prosecution must be completed, including the complete separation of the right to investigate and the right to prosecute. It is necessary to normalize the criminal justice system by correcting the prosecution power, which was deformedly bloated in 70 years. It is imperative to establish a fair and transparent personnel system and case distribution system for the prosecution’s personnel, and boldly break through the evils of the organizational culture that has remained in the old practice.

In my inaugural address, I emphasized the poetry of Zultak-dong for reform of the prosecution, but I always regret how much I tried myself to express the voice and will of reform from the inside of the prosecution. Based on such regrets, we created the’Three Major Reforms to Go to the Public Prosecution’. I believe it will be a great reference for you.

As I have repeatedly asked, the reform of the prosecution is now an irreversible demand of the times, and through this, the prosecution must become a guard of justice and justice and the last bastion of human rights. We must come down from the past that reigned over the people and become a strong friend next to the people.

Ⅱ
Dear legal family! Please do not forget that you are the one who makes the way of history.

Please stand up as the subject of reform, not the object of reform yourself. Listening to and acting on the needs of the people and the times, that will be the duty and calling of public officials.

My public service life has always been a series of challenges. I bumped into big and small obstacles, fell over, crossed mountains and crossed the sea. In order to walk the path pointed to by the times and the people, I sometimes swallowed smoke, and even if my knees broke, I took one step forward. This is because I was not ashamed of the great leaders who walked in front of me and the people who had passed away without a name.

There can be resistance to any reform. But even though there is eternal reform, there cannot be eternal resistance. In other words, reform will continue in any age, but resistance will disappear with that age. That is the unchanging path of history that we have taken and the history of democratic development.

Although there have been temporary retreats in our history, we must face that constantly moving forward in the direction indicated by the spirit of the times, and in the process, the old order has been dismantled and the new order has led the fate of the country and the lives of the people.

At this meeting, I’ll give you some advice to the legal family.

First, let’s go together in the direction of justice. Our history has developed in a direction where freedom and human rights are always respected. That is’justice’. That direction will be uncomfortable for some, but no one will be able to go against it.

Let’s reminiscent of the giving of justice to the name of the Ministry of Justice. ‘Justice’ is the only value that all members can agree on and follow for the prosperity of the country and the well-being of the community. The Ministry of Justice is not just one of the ministries of government, it is the heart of justice. This is the reason why the legal family repeatedly emphasizes the heavy responsibility of everyone.

Second, let’s walk with the sovereign people. Please keep in mind that when we are next to the people, the people are also next to us.

The Ministry of Justice is the human rights ministry and the ultimate authority for the national criminal justice law, and the foundation of which is to guarantee national sovereignty and human rights. No authority or authority can be above the sovereign people. The Ministry of Justice should make every effort in accordance with the Constitution and laws so that only sovereign citizens can be guaranteed a comfortable and respected life. There can be no more important public welfare than this.

Third, let’s not be afraid of change and reform and open a new era of renaissance. I have been impressed with the passion and will for change and reform that you have shown at the forefront of legal administration. I confess that it has given me more courage and strength.

Looking back on the history of humanity, the more we reject and resist change and reform, the more harsh it will come, and if we accept it and work together, it will give a richer history like the Renaissance.

No one knows the future. Therefore, hesitation comes with new choices and challenges. Is it the right path for me to walk? There will be times when you worry and step back. But folks, change starts with one step. We will always be with you in that brave step.

Ⅲ
These three are the final requests of the 67th Justice Minister Chu Miae. Let’s go the road of justice, let’s go with the people, let’s not be afraid of change and reform. Please keep the last request of the minister leaving in your heart.

There is a word that helped me when it was hard and I wanted to put everything down. These are the words of my political teacher, President Kim Dae-jung. With that word, I would like to close the two appointments.

“We should not be discouraged when we need to regret, we should not be impatient when we need to be patient, we should not hesitate when we need to move forward.”

What I told you today is also my own commitment. I am now back. One ordinary citizen and one politician. Thank you to all legal families who have worked hard so far. Fellow Koreans who supported me, thank you. Thank you for your attention.

2021. 1. 27. Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae