Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl has reiterated that the purpose of prosecution reform is for prosecutors to be “for the people” and fair. 

Yoon made the remark on Thursday when he delivered his New Year’s address. 

He stressed that the key value of a liberal democracy’s constitution is to not sacrifice an individual’s freedom and rights over the collective interest of a country or society. 

Yoon said a fair prosecution would remain unbiased throughout the entire process of an investigation and would not abuse its authority granted for public interest. 

He said that by prosecution “for the people,” he meant that the prosecution should only focus on the people when carrying out its duties, stressing that the people are the very foundation of the authority bestowed to the prosecution. 

Observers believe that with such remarks, Yoon sought to dismiss criticism that he’s anti-reform and to clearly state his views on overhauling the prosecution.