By Shim Jae-yun
Staff Reporter

President Roh Moo-hyun Tuesday instructed Justice Minister Kang Kum-sil to take strict measures to strengthen discipline within the prosecution.

``As head of the relevant authorities, Justice Minister should straighten out discipline in the prosecution,’’ he said during a Cabinet meeting at Chong Wa Dae.

Roh also indicated he would replace Prosecutor-General Song Kwang-soo, saying, ``The prosecutor-general’s term in office exists for the purpose of ensuring independent investigations free of political influence, not for raising opinions on the government’s policies.’’

Roh’s instruction came while referring to the dissent expressed by Song over the administration’s move to abolish the central investigation department under the wing of the Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office.

Describing the move as a type of political maneuvering, Song said he would use all his power to maintain the department, which is mainly in charge of investigating the irregularities of high-ranking officials and lawmakers.

``That will only happen over my dead body,’’ Song said during a meeting with a group of prosecutors Monday.

The department’s investigations into a bribery scandal over the 2002 presidential election created a major stir, leading to the arrest of many stalwart lawmakers including confidants to the head of state. In the midst of this corruption scandal involving Roh’s former aides, opposition parties launched the impeachment motion against Roh.

``Such a remark is totally inappropriate as the plan to do away with the department has been on the table for a long time,’’ Roh said.

``People will feel a great sense of instability if a figure holding a great deal of power reveals a hard-line stance before the public,’’ Roh said.

He went on to say that Song’s attitude would damage discipline.

Roh defended the move to close the department, saying that it is not aimed at promoting political interests.

Chong Wa Dae officials said there will be a special department under the direct wing of the presidential office for investigating possible irregularities and corruption by ranking government officials and politicians.

jayshim@koreatimes.co.kr