An Mihyun criticizing Lim Eunjeong's courage for prosecutorial reform

The Prelude to the Frame War

The recent post by prosecutor Ahn Mi-hyun on the prosecution's internal network 'E-PROS' has once again sparked a familiar debate within South Korean society. This article, which publicly criticizes Prosecutor Im Eun-jung, has prompted a flurry of coverage from both nepotistic media and pro-prosecution outlets. The tone suggesting that 'even a principled prosecutor is criticizing Im Eun-jung' has swayed public opinion towards framing Im's political stance. This is not merely a difference of opinion between prosecutors, but a massive frame war surrounding the hot issue of prosecutorial reform. The justifications of 'political neutrality of the prosecution,' the image of a 'principled prosecutor,' and the stigma of 'political prosecutor' are all tools selectively utilized by the media and power. This article aims to reveal the intentions and structures hidden behind these frames. It also questions why the solitary voice of an individual like Im Eun-jung is the most significant in this era.

The Illusion of 'Conviction': An Mi-hyun's Image Politics

Prosecutor Ahn Mi-hyun was once a representative symbol of an "authentic prosecutor." She revealed external pressure from the prosecution's leadership during the Gangwon Land hiring corruption incident and stood up to high-ranking politicians, taking the lead in investigating Congressman Kwon Seong-dong. Her courageous actions at that time were undoubtedly worthy of applause. However, the problem lies in her subsequent actions. In 2019, when the situation surrounding former Justice Minister Cho Kuk erupted, dividing South Korean society into two sides, Ahn adopted a passive and defensive attitude. Her explanation that "I urged Minister Cho to accept the family investigation at the meeting" left only the impression of defending her position in silence. In 2022, as the prosecution's separation of investigative powers bill, dubbed 'Prosecution Investigation Power Reform,' was about to pass the National Assembly, Ahn strongly opposed it, arguing that "the prosecution's investigative powers must be maintained." From this point, family-run media outlets extensively reported her claims, utilizing them as tools to criticize Im Eun-jung. Especially as controversy arose over the conclusion of the investigation into the 'valley murder case' she was involved in, Ahn pointed to the separation of prosecution powers as the cause and shifted the responsibility outside. While this might have been a strategy to evade attacks from family-run media, it resulted in diluting the responsibility for reform. Ultimately, the prosecution and conservative media repackaged her as an icon of the "authentic prosecutor," which then became a core argument in the frame opposing reform. This trend illustrates how the value of "authenticity" is politically and selectively consumed. Voices supporting or protecting prosecutorial power are framed as “authenticity,” while opposing voices are labeled as “political.”

Another tool: The contradiction of using Lawyer Kim Ye-won

There is a figure who frequently appears as another face opposing prosecutorial reform. That person is attorney Kim Ye-won. Attorney Kim is a human rights lawyer who has been actively advocating for the rights of the disabled and socially disadvantaged. Her sincerity and achievements are undeniable. However, recently, as she has expressed opposition to the separation of prosecutorial investigative powers and the reform bill, her name has also started to be used within the framework of certain family-run media outlets. Attorney Kim argues that “prosecutorial investigative powers are necessary to protect the socially disadvantaged.” However, our experiences directly contradict this claim. The cases of Yoo Woosung, a victim of a spy fabrication incident, the arrest of construction workers labeled as “violent extremists,” and the corruption of prosecutors who received favors in room salons all demonstrate how often prosecutorial powers have been abused as tools to protect those in power. Moreover, attorney Kim has even referred to the prosecutorial reform bill as the “National Destruction Act.” Yet, when prosecutorial powers were widely abused under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, she hardly raised her voice in criticism. If we genuinely want to protect the socially disadvantaged, what is needed is not the maintenance of prosecutorial power, but rather the strengthening of police investigative expertise, the enhancement of civilian oversight bodies, and the systematization of procedures for raising objections and protecting victims. However, conservative media use the symbolism of Kim Ye-won to create a narrative saying, “Even such a progressive figure opposes reform.” The politics of a separated narrative and reality is being repeated.

The Miracle of Im Eun-jung: A Portrait of Whistleblowing

Im Eun-jung is nearly the only figure who has exposed the internal injustices of the prosecution organization for over 20 years. She has revealed the corruption of the prosecution, directly reported on prosecutors who have committed illegal acts, and has positioned herself as a "prosecutor's funeral director." She pointed out the corruption of prosecutorial power before anyone else, stating that "once the Corruption Investigation Office is launched, many former and current prosecutors could be arrested." As a result, Prosecutor Lim has experienced countless instances of bullying and oppression. She faced disciplinary threats, was listed as a subject for eligibility review, missed promotions, and received local assignments, enduring various disadvantages repeatedly. She once confessed, "I cried all day and crawled into my room to fall asleep," revealing the pain she endured at that time. Despite this, she never gave up. She stated, "It may seem like I am alone now, but I am standing in front of a long line of history,” believing in the historical significance of the path she is taking. She admitted that she, too, must stand as a defendant before history according to the principle of "prosecutor’s unity," but aspired to be someone who could bear that weight. This introspection goes beyond mere internal criticism, acknowledging that she herself is also an object of reform. A true reformer is someone who does not simply report external enemies but faces and raises their voice against the problems within the organization they belong to. Im Eun-jung is that person.

The Politics of Framing: The Operation of the Prosecutor-Media Cartel

The series of events unfolding right now is not merely a conflict between individuals, but a structural frame war. The prosecution power is allying with the media to stigmatize opposing voices in order to protect itself. The frames of 'political prosecutor,' 'biased reformist,' and 'outlier' are strategies aimed at thoroughly isolating reform voices within the prosecution. These frames are selective. Advocating for the prosecution is seen as 'conviction,' while criticism is labeled as 'political.' Cooperating with the prosecution is viewed as 'expertise,' whereas resistance is branded as 'idealism.' In this way, the media has become a stenographer for the prosecution's messages. Prosecutor Lim Eun-jung recognized this early on, stating, 'The difficulty of prosecutorial reform lies in the cooperative structure between the media and the prosecution,' criticizing the framework that allows power and media to protect and reinforce one another. The core of that structure is the 'frame.' The 'facts' they convey are never neutral. Which stories are emphasized and which names are repeated ultimately come down to the issue of framing.

Pearls bloom on suffering

Prosecutor Lim Eun-jung says, "Just as a soft flesh suffers pain to become a pearl oyster, I am confident that the pain of all of us will be transformed into the radiant pearl of prosecutorial reform." This statement is not just a simple metaphor. In reality, she has been treated as an 'untouchable' within the prosecutorial organization, isolated and marginalized multiple times by the institution. To rebel against the powerful organization of the prosecution is to put one's very existence at risk beyond merely expressing dissenting opinions. Nevertheless, Prosecutor Lim Eun-jung affirms, "If we remain silent, the stones will scream." This rallying cry is a message that Korean society must engrave in its heart today. Reform does not come easily, and lonely voices serve as the most important evidence that the system is functioning.

Conclusion

Prosecutorial reform is not just a matter of the system, but a matter of culture and power. And it is always accompanied by tremendous resistance and distortion of the narrative. The words of An Mi-hyun and Kim Ye-won are exploited as political tools, and Lim Eun-jung's criticism is distorted into 'politics.' However, in the end, history stands on the side of truth. We know that a pearl is formed through pain. And that one pearl illuminates the dark sea. Prosecutor Lim Eun-jung is that pearl. We must protect her and walk the path she has taken together. 'The flow of the times, even when encountering enormous reefs, rides over them and eventually breaks them down into sand.' The history that Lim Eun-jung believes in, now is the time for all of us to write it together.