Controversy Over Prosecutorial Budget Allocation

In October 2023, a significant controversy erupted in the National Assembly concerning the budget allocation for the prosecution by the Minister of Justice. The Minister defended the legitimacy of the budget allocation; however, lawmakers raised concerns regarding potential legal violations. Citing research from Professor Lim Ji-bong, it was argued that the actions of the Minister clearly violated the National Finance Act and the Prosecutors' Office Act. The Minister warned that legally questionable budget allocations and executions would lead to a loss of public trust, and the Minister also faced criticism for adhering to existing practices. Despite a decrease in the number of cases handled by the prosecution following adjustments in investigation rights, there was still an increase in the budget, pointing to a contradictory situation. Lawmakers claimed that the Minister either failed to conduct proper legal reviews or resorted to excuses, demanding clear accountability for financial operations.