Among them are the 1986 Bucheon police sexual torture incident, in which a senior policeman sexually harassed a co-ed student detained in a pro-democracy movement; and the 1999 Daejeon judicial scandal in which corrupt Daejeon court officials took bribes from attorneys in exchange for cases.

If the public prosecutor's office is to fulfill its responsibility as the top national investigative agency and earn the public’s trust, it must be apolitical. Citizens have endured numerous instances that indicate otherwise. Politicians often attempt to deploy the prosecution as a tool of suppression; while some senior prosecutors have behaved accordingly. Prosecutors should serve common people, and establish their authority as moral and ethical forces.

Public prosecutors should be incorruptible. The public cannot respect a system whereby prosecutors accept bribes from corporations; this culture of "sponsorship" must be eradicated.

Priority should be given to human rights. Too many people under investigation complain of unjust treatment, including verbal intimidation, which should also be eliminated.

The practice of sweeping search and seizures must be changed in favor of thorough investigations. Having suspects surrender on the basis of unfounded suspicions uncovered by dragnet-style searches is simply another form of intimidation. There is no shame in releasing suspects, if prosecutors have insufficient evidence to verify their suspicions.

The public prosecutor's office should view its 60th anniversary as an occasion to reflect upon past wrongdoings and reassert a fresh commitment to its mission in service of the people.