Controversy over Prosecutor Impeachment Motion in Korea

The National Assembly of South Korea has witnessed a growing controversy regarding the impeachment motions aimed at specific prosecutors, particularly following their collective actions against these proceedings. On November 28, during a meeting of the legislative Judiciary Committee, prosecutors openly voiced their opposition to the impeachment efforts. This situation arose against the backdrop of reported constitutional violations by the prosecutors, as emphasized by certain members of parliament who called for an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection under Article 127, Clause 2 of the National Assembly Act, which allows the Assembly to request specific audits. The prosecutors argue that their collective actions are an expression of their rights given the political pressures exerted on them, asserting that their conduct does not violate the public servant law, which prohibits collective action that serves non-official purposes. In contrast, opposing lawmakers argue that such actions undermine the political neutrality expected of public servants. This discourse has drawn comparisons to previous political situations in South Korea where similar collective statements and actions by teachers or police were met with legal scrutiny. Through these discussions, a deep-rooted conflict about the roles of the judiciary and the legislature has surfaced, raising questions about the future of oversight and governance in South Korea. Whatever the outcome, it appears that the tension between political accountability and the judiciary's independence will continue to provoke vigorous debate.