South Korea's political thriller has reopened, and the main protagonist is the controversial amendment to the Political Organization Act. At a recent plenary session of Congress, the amendment was passed with a huge proportion of 174 votes in favor, 1 vote against and 5 abstentions.
(Amendment to the Law on Political Organization passed with the overwhelming advantage of 174:1)
Although the largest opposition party, the National Power Party, withdrew collectively because it was dissatisfied with the abolition of the Public Prosecutor's Office, the amendment still passed this hurdle under the push of the ruling party, the Common Democratic Party, which controls the majority of seats.
This reform is like dropping a bombshell on the South Korean judicial system. The amendment stipulates that the procuratorial organs affiliated to the Ministry of Justice of Korea will be completely deconstructed and replaced by the Public Prosecution Office and the Major Crime Investigation Office.The two new agencies managed the prosecution and investigation powers separately, enabling complete separation of prosecution functions.
It is worth noting that this change has a one-year moratorium. By September next year, the 78-year-old prosecutor's office will officially become a relic of history.
Speaking of South Korea's prosecutors, they are really not easy to deal with. For a long time, they have simultaneously held the two major powers of investigation and prosecution, and have almost become "shadow governments", frequently intervening in politics and chaebol cases.In particular, the first nine South Korean presidents, none of whom escaped the fate of the prosecution investigation, this phenomenon has to make people feel ironic.
(Corean prosecutors frequently interfere in politics and financial valves cases)
In fact, in South Korea, the separate official system gives every prosecutor strong independence, and superiors can only make suggestions, but cannot directly change their decisions. At the same time, prosecutors have the power to command police investigations, coupled with the “special prosecutors” system, almost even the president can be shaken by them.
Therefore, Lee Jae-myung and his Common Democratic Party saw this opportunity to promote this reform, He hopes to break the previous "magic of Qingdao" and reduce the risk of judicial liquidation for himself and former President Moon Jae-in.
This reform is not at once. Looking back on Moon Jae in's term of office, he tried to promote relevant amendments to weaken the power of the procuratorial system and narrow the scope of its direct investigation.
However, with Yin Xi'an's rise to power, a large number of "pro-Yin" people entered the government's main positions.President Yoon Seok-yue seems more inclined to strengthen procuratorial power. During this period, the procuratorial system was used to investigate Moon Jae in and Lee Jae-myung.
(What Moon Jae in couldn't do, Lee Jae-myung did it)
Amendments to the Law on Political Organization, Finally, the unfinished aspiration of Moon has been fulfilled, and the old structure of prosecution power has been completely dismantled.
The new Prosecutor’s Office and the Major Crime Investigation Office are not concerned, then?Not, of course.After the reform, the Prosecutor’s Office will be administered by the Secretary of Justice and the new Major Crime Investigation Office will be administered by the Secretary of Administrative Security.
It can be said that, This means that prosecution is gradually integrated into the government management system, allowing politicians and senior bureaucrats to further expand their influence in the field of justice.
The amendment clearly paves the way for the current government to clean up former government figures. Lee also established an independent prosecutor's team for the "Civil Rebellion Case" and the "Kim Shishu Misdemeanor" in Beijing for this purpose. But it can be seen that Li Ziming couldn't wait to investigate the Yin Xiyue case.
In the midst of this political shift, former President Yin Xi Jinping is facing a huge crisis.
(Yu Xiao again appeared in court if two have been convicted)
His most recent public appearance was at the Seoul Central District Court. After 85 days of silence, the former president finally appeared in public view, Wearing a dark blue suit with the prisoner number "3617" hanging on his chest, he looked much thinner, with gray hair and a haggard face.
And he faces 11 harsh charges, including treason and civil strife, Once these charges are found guilty, he may face the fate of life in prison.
You know, after Li Zaiming came to power, he was besieged on all sides.Not only do we have to deal with the United States 'pressing pressure on key issues such as tariffs and investment, but we also have to face Trump's trouble trying to gain land ownership of US military bases in South Korea. Coupled with the failure of the policy of goodwill to the north, the promise of easing relations on the peninsula is in jeopardy.
At home, pro-U.S. forces have continued to struggle, and efforts to improve relations with China have also been heavily hindered. Obviously, it is urgent to open hands to deal with these complex international affairs and solve Yin Ziyu’s legal problems.
(Lee Jae-myung abolishes the Korean Prosecutor's Office)
Against this background, the passage of this amendment is more like a carefully planned political reckoning.Li Zaiming intends to shape his image of abiding by the law and keeping integrity through this move, so as to unite the internal hearts of the people and stabilize the camp, and then form a suppressive situation against the old forces and constantly expand his political chips.
However, things didn't go as smoothly as imagined.South Korean prosecutors have reacted sharply and resignation protests have been raised, while right-wing forces may also launch offensives at the level of Congress and public opinion under the slogan “preserving judicial independence”.
Thro the Korean political arena, this amendment is both a rearrangement of the powers of the prosecutor’s system and an expression of the profound role of political power. In the future when judicial restructuring and political confrontation are full of variables, Li Zaiming's road to reform has just begun.