ID :
191865
Wed, 06/29/2011 - 17:30
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/191865
The shortlink copeid
Prosecutors express intent to resign over revision of investigation rights
(ATTN: ADDS more details in paras 3,5-10)
SEOUL (Yonhap) - South Korean senior prosecutors expressed their intent to resign on Wednesday in apparent opposition to a move that would empower police to open investigations.
Senior Prosecutor Hong Man-pyo offered his resignation amid deepening tension surrounding the revision of the criminal procedure code. Four other prosecutors offered their resignations in a collective move later in the day.
"I think now is the time to leave. My health got worse," Hong said in an internal network for the prosecution. "I hope that the prosecution could remain coolheaded with the politics and have a warm relationship with the police."
The resignations came one day after the parliament's legislation and judiciary committee approved a revised version of the bill after amending some parts of the original one. Prosecutors argue that the amendments came against their will.
The prosecution and police agreed on June 20 on a compromise to revise the criminal procedure code to allow police investigators to open and proceed with criminal investigations if there is sufficient evidence of a crime. The revised code would allow prosecutors to supervise the overall procedure. Currently, prosecutors have the exclusive right to open an investigation.
The parliamentary committee on Tuesday approved an amendment, under which specific details in the revision of the code should be determined by presidential decree, not by decree from the justice ministry.
"Prosecutors without authority of supervision cannot be called prosecutors per se. Resolute and drastic measures are necessary to regain the prosecution's confidence," Prosecutor Choi Deuk-sin, who offered to resign, said in an internal network.
Police have wanted to amend the current law to obtain the legal right to start criminal probes, as most investigations are actually launched by police officers.
But prosecutors have vehemently opposed the move, saying that giving police more rights for investigations could increase risks of human rights infringements.
On Thursday, a revised bill of the criminal procedure code will be reviewed in a parliamentary plenary session.
SEOUL (Yonhap) - South Korean senior prosecutors expressed their intent to resign on Wednesday in apparent opposition to a move that would empower police to open investigations.
Senior Prosecutor Hong Man-pyo offered his resignation amid deepening tension surrounding the revision of the criminal procedure code. Four other prosecutors offered their resignations in a collective move later in the day.
"I think now is the time to leave. My health got worse," Hong said in an internal network for the prosecution. "I hope that the prosecution could remain coolheaded with the politics and have a warm relationship with the police."
The resignations came one day after the parliament's legislation and judiciary committee approved a revised version of the bill after amending some parts of the original one. Prosecutors argue that the amendments came against their will.
The prosecution and police agreed on June 20 on a compromise to revise the criminal procedure code to allow police investigators to open and proceed with criminal investigations if there is sufficient evidence of a crime. The revised code would allow prosecutors to supervise the overall procedure. Currently, prosecutors have the exclusive right to open an investigation.
The parliamentary committee on Tuesday approved an amendment, under which specific details in the revision of the code should be determined by presidential decree, not by decree from the justice ministry.
"Prosecutors without authority of supervision cannot be called prosecutors per se. Resolute and drastic measures are necessary to regain the prosecution's confidence," Prosecutor Choi Deuk-sin, who offered to resign, said in an internal network.
Police have wanted to amend the current law to obtain the legal right to start criminal probes, as most investigations are actually launched by police officers.
But prosecutors have vehemently opposed the move, saying that giving police more rights for investigations could increase risks of human rights infringements.
On Thursday, a revised bill of the criminal procedure code will be reviewed in a parliamentary plenary session.
