Reforms in the Prosecutors' Office has emerged as the biggest issue in the political circle due to a bribery scandal involving tens of billions of won by chief prosecutor Jin Kyung-joon (49, arrested). On July 18, Opposition parties such as the Minjoo Party of Korea, the People's Party and the Justice Party fiercely criticized the first ever arrest of an incumbent chief prosecutor on charges of bribery in the history of the Prosecutors' Office and demanded reforms. Minister Lowers His Head at Prosecutor's Scandal: Minister of Justice Kim Hyun-woong (right) appeared before the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on July 18 and announced his position on the arrest of chief prosecutor Jin Kyung-joon for bribery. He said, "I sincerely apologize," and bowed his head. Gang Yun-jungThe Jin Kyung-joon scandal revealed the lack of ability within the Prosecutors' Office to carry out their own reforms and showed that reforms by an external force, such as the establishment of a government office overseeing corruption cases of senior public officials, will be inevitable.At a meeting of the party's emergency committee this day, the Minjoo Party floor leader Woo Sang-ho said, "This is an issue so serious that we need to discuss the future actions of the justice minister and the public prosecutor general as well. We should consider their resignation," and called for Justice Minister Kim Hyun-woong and Public Prosecutor General Kim Soo-nam to step down. Woo also said, "This case confirms that we cannot prevent corruption and the secret deals between those with power within the Prosecutors' Office, without establishing a government agency specializing in investigating the corruption of senior officials. The National Assembly needs to quickly promote institutional reforms."At a meeting of the standing committee, Justice Party floor leader Roh Hoe-chan said, "I promise that the twentieth National Assembly will pass a bill on the establishment of a government office for the investigation of corruption involving senior officials and of a permanent special prosecutor based on an agreement between the ruling and opposition parties in the near future."Opposition parties fiercely criticized Cheong Wa Dae Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Woo Byung-woo about a press report that claimed that Nexon purchased profitable land valued at over 130 billion won in Gangnam, Seoul쟣rom Woo뭩 in-laws. Nexon gave Jin free shares allowing Jin to enjoy profits of over 12 billion won. Park Jie-won, chairman of the People's Party emergency committee said, "It was Senior Secretary Woo who, at the peak of power, freely exerted his authority over personnel appointments and investigations, even incapacitating the chief of staff. We need to first get rid of Woo Byung-woo's gang spread throughout state authorities. The arrogance of the Woo Byung-woo gang is ruining this country."At the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the Minjoo Party lawmaker Park Beom-kye asked Minister Kim Hyun-woong, "Are you willing to conduct a strict investigation on allegations concerning Senior Secretary Woo?" Kim answered, "If we confirm the specific criminal charges and clues, the Prosecutors' Office will review the need for an investigation."This day, the prosecutors held a meeting of chief district prosecutors chaired by Public Prosecutor General Kim Soo-nam and discussed their response to the Jin Kyung-joon scandal. Kim said, "I was greatly shocked by the fact that a senior executive in the Prosecutors' Office neglected his position and used public office as a means to acquire wealth. The honor and pride of the Prosecutors' Office has completely crumbled." The prosecutors plan to dismiss Jin, the highest level of disciplinary action available, and confiscate his illegal profits while carrying out a thorough investigation.