Top prosecutor nominee vows political neutrality

The nominee for the nation's top prosecutor promised Monday that the prosecution would remain politically neutral under his tenure.

The pledge comes amid the government's move to reform the prosecution that has often been embroiled in political scandals.

"So far, the prosecution has taken criticism for being swayed by improper political influence and neglecting in self-reflection, and I take this seriously. After I am inaugurated, I will ensure that prosecutors will never be politically motivated," Yoon Seokyoul said during his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly.

"I promise the prosecution will strictly maintain its political neutrality."

In mid-June, President Moon Jaein picked the 59-year-old as the prosecutor-general to replace outgoing top prosecutor Moon Mooil, whose tenure ends later this month.

The prosecutor-general nominee must undergo a confirmation hearing, but Assembly approval is not necessary for the appointment.

The Yoon nomination came as Cheong Wa Dae is keen on curbing the powers of the prosecution that have been regarded as too powerful and have often led to abuse and corruption scandals. In this respect, the government plans to expand the independent investigative authority of the police, although the plan has met with a fierce backlash from prosecutors, including the incumbent prosecutor-general.

This April, the Assembly placed key reform bills on a fast track, including one expanding the power of the police that will allow them to open and close investigations without needing approval from the prosecution. Under the current law, only the prosecution has the right to close a case.

However, Yoon hinted that he was not fully supportive of President Moon's campaign pledge.

"The prosecution reform bill is already in the legislative process and the final decision rests with the public and the Assembly. And the prosecution is a law enforcement agency, not a rule maker," Yoon said.

"However, the criminal justice system is linked directly to the rights and interests of the people, so there must not be room for trial and error or any blind spots in protecting the public and eliminating corrupt practices."

He added that the prosecution will voice its opinion in the legislative process, based on its expertise and experience.

Meanwhile, during the hearing, the opposition parties focused on grilling Yoon on his own alleged ethical issues, all of which were rebuffed by the nominee.

In a bribery case linked to Yoon Woojin, a former chief of the National Tax Service's Yongsan-gu Office and the elder brother of sitting Deputy Justice Minister for Criminal Affairs Yoon Daejin, he allegedly illicitly recommended a lawyer to the accused.

In 2013, Yoon Woojin was under investigation on suspicion of taking bribes from a local business. During the procedure, he fled overseas, but was apprehended the following year. However, he was acquitted of the charge in 2015.

The opposition side claimed the nominee introduced a senior prosecutor-turned-lawyer to Yoon Woojin, something forbidden for a current civil servant.

"Although I know the elder Yoon and played golf with him twice, I was not involved in the case," the nominee said.