National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik met with Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho on Tuesday, receiving the minister's courtesy call to congratulate him on taking office.
During the meeting, Cho said he was well aware of Jeong's "reasonable and balanced leadership" and expressed appreciation for the minister's work. "I am grateful that you have taken on the weighty responsibility of justice minister and are wisely navigating major reform challenges," Cho said.
Cho also praised the legislative record on everyday issues under the Justice Ministry's purview since the Lee Jae Myung administration took office. "In the year since the government launched, 38 bills under the Justice Ministry's jurisdiction have passed the National Assembly, showing that legislation affecting people's lives is moving at a good pace," he said. "This is particularly meaningful because the results — including stronger protections for stalking victims and tougher penalties for fraud — are closely tied to people's daily lives. I am grateful for the hard work of the minister and ministry staff, and I ask that you continue to work closely with the National Assembly to deliver legislation that people can truly feel."
Cho also urged the minister to ensure prosecution reform proceeds without a hitch, noting that the launch of the new Public Prosecution Office is now three months away. "The success or failure of prosecution reform does not rest on institutional change itself, but on how much more robustly the rights and human rights of the people are protected," he said. He added that the Justice Ministry must play its role without wavering to establish a fair criminal justice system that the public can trust.
Jeong said he expected Cho to lead the Assembly well and give voice to the public, citing the speaker's reputation for valuing dialogue and compromise. "We will do our utmost to ensure that prosecution reform also places the protection of people's rights and fundamental freedoms first," he said.
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