The Democratic Party has initiated a push for a reform of the criminal procedure law aimed at abolishing supplementary investigation rights, while the Justice Innovation Party is pressuring for a resolution by the end of the month, leading to ongoing tensions within the ruling coalition. The People Power Party has intensified its attacks, citing the resignation of Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho.
According to political sources on July 26, the ruling coalition, including the Democratic Party, has entered a race to expedite the processing of the criminal procedure law reform. A full meeting of the Legislative and Judiciary Committee is scheduled for July 27, with expectations that the bill could be processed in a plenary session as early as July 30. If the reform is not passed by the end of the month, it could impact cooperation within the ruling coalition.
In his acceptance speech the previous day, Shin Jang-sik, the newly elected leader of the Justice Innovation Party, criticized the Democratic Party, stating, "It has been 417 days since the establishment of the people's sovereignty government, yet why has the Democratic Party hesitated and neglected reforms?" He further questioned, "Is the current Democratic Party truly a reform party?" emphasizing that the real reform party in South Korean politics is the Justice Innovation Party.
Shin also pledged to take decisive action when the time for critical reforms arrives, stating, "I will be as precise and resolute as a hawk, seizing goals without hesitation at the fastest speed."
Former Justice Innovation Party leader Cho Kuk has engaged in a public debate with Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-hee regarding a bill that includes the revival of the transfer of cases. However, Kim's proposed bill has not yet been referred to the subcommittee for review.
Additionally, the Justice Innovation Party has shown intentions to abstain from a closure vote aimed at stopping a filibuster by the People Power Party against the Democratic Party's proposed extension of the second comprehensive special investigation law on July 21. The Justice Innovation Party made this decision while demanding a clear stance on the processing of the criminal procedure law reform. They indicated a willingness to participate in the closure vote only after the Democratic Party provided in-depth opinions regarding the reform.
The Justice Innovation Party has recently declared that it will not act merely as a rubber stamp for the Democratic Party. Senior spokesperson Park Byeong-eon stated, "While we consider the Democratic Party as a partner and will cooperate fundamentally, if there are disagreements in the latter half of the National Assembly, it will be difficult to automatically support a filibuster." The party plans to strongly advocate for its position on contentious issues like the criminal procedure law reform.
Meanwhile, the People Power Party has ramped up its criticism of the government and the Democratic Party regarding Justice Minister Jeong's reported resignation over the abolition of supplementary investigation rights.
Jung Jeom-sik, the floor leader of the People Power Party, posted on Facebook, "A president should not only consider their own safety after leaving office. Is it acceptable to engage in such cowardly politics?" He added, "Democratic Party lawmakers are equally cowardly, rushing to abolish supplementary investigation rights while being mindful of hardline party members."
Spokesperson Jo Yong-sul also remarked, "Minister Jeong cannot escape responsibility for being a bystander in the dismantling of the prosecution under the Lee Jae-myung administration and the process of stripping supplementary investigation rights. The abolition of supplementary investigation rights is not merely about reducing the prosecution's authority; it is about protecting the rights of the people. If concerns have been raised even within the government about removing the last safeguard to correct investigative errors, it is common sense for the president to step in and call for a re-evaluation and a restart of legislative discussions."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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