Members of the Democratic Party of Korea’s Committee on Political Suppression of the Former Administration hold an emergency press conference at the National Assembly on April 24 in response to the prosecution’s indictment of former President Moon Jae-in. By reporter Park Min-kyu

The prosecution’s indictment of former President Moon Jae-in on bribery charges on April 24 has reignited calls for prosecution reform in the National Assembly, a topic that had remained relatively dormant in recent months. The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), along with other liberal parties, strongly criticized the indictment, accusing the prosecution of being politically motivated. Many now wonder whether prosecution reform will emerge as a key issue in the upcoming presidential election on June 3.

At a press conference at the National Assembly, DPK spokesperson Jo Seoung-lae said, “The dictatorship of prosecutors was brought to an end by the ‘revolution of light.’ This absurd indictment only further proves the need for prosecution reform. We will carry out reform in line with the will of the people.”

Yoon Jae-kwan, spokesperson for the Rebuilding Korea Party, said, “This indictment is an attempt to block prosecution reform. It’s to make a precedent of retaliation against anyone who pushes for it. The prosecution must be disbanded.”

Kang Yu-jung, spokesperson for DPK presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung’s campaign, said in a media release, “The prosecution is abusing its indictment powers against members of the previous administration while letting go of cases like the stock manipulation allegations involving Kim Keon-hee, wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, and not appealing the court’s decision to cancel Yoon Suk-yeol’s arrest warrant.”

Reform efforts had seemed to lose momentum amid prolonged political tension surrounding Yoon’s impeachment and the announcement of an early presidential election. However, Moon’s indictment appears to be breathing new life into the reform movement. DPK lawmaker Go Min-jeong posted on Facebook, “The political prosecution, which monopolizes investigations and indictments, has chosen to tighten its own noose. Dismantling political prosecution is the first step to ending the crisis caused by the insurgency.”

The DPK is currently crafting a reform bill centered on separating investigative and prosecutorial powers of the prosecution. Multiple revisions to the Prosecutors’ Office Act have already been proposed by members of both the DPK and the Rebuilding Korea Party. A bill submitted by DPK legal spokesperson Lee Geon-tae proposes strengthening the separation of investigations and prosecutions by prohibiting prosecutors from filing charges for crimes they initiated.

Presidential candidates from the DPK are also promoting similar reform pledges. During a broadcast on YouTube on April 15, the front runner Lee Jae-myung, said, “The institutions responsible for investigations, indictments, and prosecution should be thoroughly separated. We need to establish a Prosecution Office, an Indictment Office, and an Investigation Office that can mutually check each other.” He also emphasized the need to expand the number of prosecutors in the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to strengthen its functions.

Another presidential candidate Kim Kyung-soo has proposed the separation of the prosecution into two distinct bodies, an investigation office and an indictment office, and the creation of oversight institutions such as an Indictment Review Committee and a National Investigation Commission. Candidate Kim Dong-yeon has gone a step further, pledging to dissolve the current prosecution structure and convert it into an indictment-only office. He also proposed downgrading the entry-level rank of prosecutors from the current Grade 3 civil servant status to Grade 5.

The DPK is expected to discuss its response to Moon’s indictment at its Supreme Council meeting scheduled for April 25.

When asked about the party’s official response, spokesperson Cho said, “This is a completely groundless case that only reinforces to the public the urgent need for prosecution reform,” adding, “We will review the situation at the meeting on the 25th.”