At the previous debate, “The Corruption Investigation Office must be given the right to prosecute prosecutorial crimes… Strengthening of authority is also necessary.”

Seo Young-kyo holds a debate on the Corruption Investigation Agency Act… “We need to reorganize the system to carry out our mission.”

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Choi Joo-seong = At the debate on the revision of the Corruption Investigation Office Act held by the ruling party on the 13th, an argument was made that the High-ranking Public Officials Crime Investigation Office (Corruption Investigation Office) should be given the authority to prosecute crimes committed by prosecutors.

Oh Byeong-du, a professor at Hongik University Law School and the presenter, said this at the 'Debate on Institutional Supplementation Tasks for the Completion of a New Criminal Justice System' hosted by Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Seo Young-kyo on this day, saying, "There is a need to grant the Corruption Investigation Office the right to prosecute all crimes committed by prosecutors."

Professor Oh pointed out, "According to the Corruption Investigation Office Act, investigation and indictment are possible only when the prosecutor's charges are crimes against high-ranking public officials, so the right to indict prosecutors for general crimes remains with the Public Prosecution Office," and added, "If prosecutions can only be handled by the Public Prosecution Office, it is difficult to be free from the controversy of 'covering the public official' in matters related to prosecutors."

At the same time, he argued, “From the perspective of cross jurisdiction, it is necessary to have the Public Prosecution Service make a decision from the perspective of separation of investigation and prosecution regarding the duties of prosecutors of the Public Prosecution Office.”

Regarding the argument that the Corruption Investigation Office should be subject to the control of the National Investigation Committee under the Prime Minister's Office, he dismissed the statement, saying, "Whether the Corruption Investigation Office, which is an independent agency, should be placed under the jurisdiction of the National Investigation Commission requires careful consideration," and "Considering the organization and manpower of the Corruption Investigation Office, the possibility of alternative control is high, so the practical benefit of introducing it will not be great."

Professor Oh also expressed the opinion that the President of the Constitutional Court and the Constitutional Court judges should be added to the list of indictments.

Dong-ho Yoon, a professor at Kookmin University Law School, said, "We need to expand the investigative power by revising the concept of related crimes in the Corruption Investigation Office Act, strengthen the power of prosecution by aligning the prosecution power with the investigative power, and strengthen the capabilities of the Corruption Investigation Office's organization. There is a need to provide conditions for the Corruption Investigation Office to perform functions and roles that are appropriate for its purpose."

Representative Seo Young-kyo said in his congratulatory speech, "Criticism of the Corruption Investigation Office should not lead to denying the purpose of its establishment and reason for its existence," and added, "What is important is to reorganize the necessary systems and strengthen investigative capabilities and expertise so that the Corruption Investigation Office can properly carry out its mission."