Oh Dong-woon, head of the High-ranking Officials Crime Investigation Agency, reiterated the urgent need to amend the current High-ranking Officials Crime Investigation Act to ensure investigations without exceptions, as desired by the public.
During his opening remarks at a press conference with reporters at the Government Complex in Gwacheon on June 15, Oh stated, "The High-ranking Officials Crime Investigation Agency is at a critical juncture, moving beyond mere establishment to becoming a system that drives judicial justice in South Korea."
He highlighted the agency's achievements over the past year, including the investigation into the '12.3 insurrection case' and the handling of major corruption cases.
"The past year has been a whirlwind since we concluded the significant investigation into the '12.3 insurrection case,' with not a single day of rest," he said. "Building on the momentum of completing such a monumental historical case, we have achieved significant results, including the indictment of a judge involved in bribery, which has shaken public trust in the judiciary, and heavy sentences in bribery cases involving police commissioners."
Oh emphasized that all members of the agency have been continuously innovating to take a significant leap forward in eradicating corruption among high-ranking officials in South Korea. He noted, "While we may not have been able to showcase everything externally, internally, we have been more dynamic than ever, enhancing our investigative capabilities and strengthening our resilience against external pressures and powerful interests."
He specifically identified the amendment of the High-ranking Officials Crime Investigation Act as a top priority.
"To fully demonstrate our dynamic capabilities and continue investigations without exceptions, as the public desires, amending the current law is essential," he said. "This amendment is not about expanding the agency's powers but is a desperate appeal to sharpen the blade against the deep-rooted evils present throughout our society, overcoming limitations and structural weaknesses."
Oh urged everyone to pay attention to the urgency of legal reforms necessary for achieving judicial justice and to unite in support of this cause.
Regarding discussions on prosecutorial reform, he emphasized the importance of the High-ranking Officials Crime Investigation Agency's role in the restructuring of the investigative system, including the establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and the prosecution agency.
"We are on the brink of a major transformation in the judicial system with the establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and the prosecution agency," he said. "As the landscape changes dramatically, the mission of the High-ranking Officials Crime Investigation Agency becomes even clearer."
He added, "We will not passively wait for this change. During these tumultuous times, we will leverage our strong capabilities and dynamism to be at the forefront of national anti-corruption investigations and serve as a solid bulwark against corruption." He also assured that there would be no investigative gaps during the restructuring process, pledging to proactively lead the vision for the future.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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