No sleep for the criminal or corrupt
“The Autumn Frost and Scorching Sun” became the symbol of the Special Investigation Department of the Tokyo District Prosecutors Office. The intent was that punishment should be fair and authoritative like cold frost in autumn and scorching sun in summer.
A major crime is committed by the wicked. And the wicked are, in general, at the core of political and governmental power.
In September 1995, during the administration of former President Kim Young-sam, a corruption scandal in which opposition lawmakers accepted bribes broke out. The opposition reacted strongly against the prosecution, claiming that prosecutors investigate small crimes, while turning a blind eye to major ones.
The conflict between lawmakers and the prosecution has been rekindled. This time, the debate is over the abolition of the central investigation unit at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office. In his defense, Prosecutor General Kim Joon-kyu said boastfully, “The Central Investigation Division has confronted major crimes and exposed hidden corruption in our society.” Then, he warned that “in the future, we may confront a situation in which minor acts of corruption are punished, while major ones are overlooked.”
In response, Democratic Party Chairman Sohn Hak-kyu said that “a biased investigation conducted under the influence of political power is a crime in and of itself,” saying that the CID is the one swayed by power.
The CID has punished some people close to power in the past, but it was also criticized for making targeted investigations. That was due to pressure from the political arena. There always exist forces that want the knife of the prosecution to get dull. Therefore, the first priority should be to create a body that will allow the prosecution to do its job. Criminals should not be allowed to get a good night’s sleep.
*The writer is an editorial writer of the JoongAng Ilbo.
By Ko Dae-hoon
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)