The Democratic Party approved a bill on July 24 to completely abolish prosecutors' supplementary investigation rights. The decision was made without any objections during a party meeting. The bill also includes provisions to expand protection measures for victims and enhance mutual checks among investigative agencies.
Lee Joo-hee, the party's floor spokesperson, announced the decision during a policy meeting at the National Assembly. She stated, "The party agreed to reach a conclusion quickly, and 106 out of 161 lawmakers participated, meeting the quorum for the vote." Despite internal disagreements, the party confirmed its stance to fully abolish supplementary investigation rights, believing that further delays in legislative reform for prosecutorial reform were unacceptable. However, some voices have raised concerns about potential gaps in investigations and the need for stronger victim protection measures.
In response, Han Byeong-do, the party's acting leader and floor leader, emphasized during the morning's Supreme Council meeting that the ruling party would make responsible decisions, stating, "As the ruling party, we will shoulder the weight of governance together and aim to finalize the legislation swiftly."
The proposed bill seeks to eliminate the supplementary investigation rights of prosecutors, detail the expansion of protection measures for victims, and strengthen mutual oversight among investigative agencies. Additionally, the party plans to expedite amendments to the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency Act to establish dedicated departments for crimes against vulnerable groups, allowing for supplementary investigations.
With the Democratic Party accelerating the process following the party's endorsement, the bill is expected to be reviewed by the judiciary committee next week and could be processed in a plenary session as early as July 30.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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