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| Justice Minister nominee Cho Kuk reads his policy agenda before entering a temporary office in Seoul, Monday, to prepare for his parliamentary confirmation hearing. / Yonhap |
By Kang Seung-woo
Cho Kuk, the besieged justice minister nominee, unveiled what his policy agenda would be as minister, Monday, which highlighted his commitment to completing a reform of the prosecution.
It is rare for a nominee to unveil policies before their appointment, and critics believe that such an unusual act is designed to distract the public from a series of allegations surrounding him and his family members.
The plan also showed his strong determination to take up the ministerial role despite mounting calls for him to withdraw his nomination because of the allegations.
As one of President Moon Jae-in's key campaign pledge, the reform is aimed at removing the prosecution's exclusive investigative rights and dividing them up with the police, while setting up an independent unit targeting crimes by top government figures.
"Together with the prosecution, I plan to fully support the National Assembly passing the reform bill," Cho said before entering his office to prepare for his confirmation hearing.
Under the reform plan, the police will be granted more investigation power and authority, while prosecutors will be in charges of the domestic judicial system, which will ensure the protection of the safety and the basic rights of the people, he said.
In April, the Assembly fast-tracked key reform bills, and Cho said the justice ministry will work together with lawmakers to get the bills passed as soon as possible.
"Public demand is high for the setting up of an independent unit that will eradicate corruption by high-ranking officials, and the redistribution of investigative rights between the law enforcement agencies that will curb the prosecution's unchecked authority," he said.
Cho, a professor of law at Seoul National University, also said he plans to introduce a penalty system making perpetrators pay fines proportional to their wealth.
"The current system of fining everybody the same can only impact poor people's livelihood, so it may not deter the rich from committing crimes," he said.
Cho also said the ministry, if he becomes the minister, will pursue the confiscation of all convicted criminals' illegally acquired assets.
It was the second announcement in a week of key policies Cho has said he will push if he takes office. On Aug. 20, he announced plans to take stricter action against sex crimes ― particularly, those committed against children ― and to monitor offenders more closely. He said that the ministry was set to step up efforts to prosecute dating violence, stalkers and domestic violence perpetrators more aggressively.
Although he has announced these policies and showed his commitment to judiciary reform, the date for his confirmation hearing at the Assembly has not yet been set, with the opposition parties demanding his voluntary withdrawal, or for President Moon cancel the nomination.
It is alleged that his 28-year-old daughter received preferential treatment over college admission through a controversial academic paper she was credited with as a lead author, despite only being in high school. She also was given 12 million won ($9,930) in scholarships for six straight semesters from 2016 to 2018 while attending the medical school at Pusan National University, although she flunked courses twice.
