On Eve of Prosecution Service's Abolition, PPP Warns of 'Public Safety Collapse'

On Oct. 1, one day before the abolition of the Prosecution Service and the launch of the Public Prosecution Office and the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, some 70 lawmakers of the People Power Party held an on-site floor lawmakers' meeting in front of the agency in Jung-gu, Seoul, denouncing the new criminal justice system. The meeting was attended by more than 70 lawmakers, including party leader Jang Dong-hyuk and floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik. The participants, all dressed in black suits, began the meeting by bowing at 90 degrees in mourning while holding portrait-style placards reading "In Memoriam: Criminal Justice."

Floor leader Jeong pointed out that "the headquarters of the agency set to launch tomorrow is a private commercial building leased by a government institution, and interior construction is still under way," adding that "the offices are empty, with steel frames and metal piping strewn about."

The People Power Party urged President Lee Jae-myung to withdraw his nomination of Kim Ji-yong as the agency's first chief or immediately submit the appointment confirmation request to the National Assembly. Floor leader Jeong said, "Stop mocking the opposition and the National Assembly any longer—withdraw the nomination of Kim Ji-yong," adding, "Wouldn't it be faster to find a new candidate and appoint them?" Rep. Kang Myung-gu said, "Three weeks have passed since the nomination. If you won't send the appointment confirmation request to the National Assembly right now, withdraw it." As of Wednesday morning, Kim's appointment confirmation request had still not been submitted to the National Assembly three weeks after his nomination.