Oh Sang-jong, Representative of the Liberty Korea Patriotic Group. [Photo=Yonhap News]

The civic group Liberty Korea Patriotic Group (Representative Oh Sang-jong) has launched a direct criticism of the Democratic Party of Korea's legislative push to "grant special prosecutors the right to withdraw indictments," labeling it a "grave abuse of power that fundamentally shakes the judicial order of the Republic of Korea."

In a statement released on the 30th, the Liberty Korea Patriotic Group expressed strong concerns regarding the Democratic Party's recent move to grant special prosecutors the authority to withdraw indictments in ongoing trials immediately after the conclusion of the parliamentary investigation into alleged fabricated indictments by the "political prosecution."

"Judicial Control by Power Will Set a Dangerous Precedent"

The group asserted that this legislative attempt is "not a mere institutional improvement, but an overt effort to neutralize multiple trials related to Representative Lee Jae-myung, such as the Daejang-dong and Ssangbangul North Korea remittance cases." They pointed out, "The withdrawal of an indictment is an act of the prosecution voluntarily retracting a lawsuit it filed. If this is realized, the very process of uncovering the truth through trials will be preemptively blocked."

The statement particularly highlighted the structure of appointing special prosecutors, stating, "Granting this authority to a special prosecutor who is ultimately nominated by the president means allowing the president to erase cases related to themselves from influence." They strongly criticized this as "judicial control by power, not the rule of law."

Furthermore, the group referred to the Ministry of Justice's ongoing investigation into prosecutors involved in the Daejang-dong case, analyzing, "The scenario of pressuring investigators to frame them with 'fabrication' and then having special prosecutors withdraw indictments is an attempt to neutralize investigations, prosecutions, and trials step by step."

They warned that if such a precedent is established, it will lead to a dangerous nation where any future power can eliminate unfavorable trials through legislation.

Three Demands Presented... "We Will Act to Protect the Rule of Law"

In its statement today, the Liberty Korea Patriotic Group presented three demands.

First, immediately halt legislative efforts to grant special prosecutors the right to withdraw indictments.

Second, completely cease political judicial intervention in cases related to Lee Jae-myung.

Third, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office must re-examine the inspection of prosecutors and ensure the independence and security of tenure for investigators.

The group pledged, "We will act until the end to protect the rule of law and judicial justice of the Republic of Korea."

Reporter Lim Yo-hee