On September 17, the National Assembly passed a series of bills aimed at reforming the prosecutorial system, including a law that assigns the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA) to handle supplementary investigations into seven major crimes affecting vulnerable populations. This legislative action comes ahead of the planned dissolution of the Prosecutors' Office and the establishment of the SCIA and the Public Prosecutors' Office on October 2.
During the session, the National Assembly voted on 51 bills related to prosecutorial reform, including amendments to the SCIA's organizational law. The ruling People Power Party opposed the bills, with lawmaker Park Hyung-soo criticizing the rushed process. He stated, "Can we truly call this a proper reform when we are hastily processing these changes just two weeks before overhauling a 70-year-old criminal justice system? Today's vote will undoubtedly be evaluated by history in the future."
The amended SCIA law allows prosecutors from the Public Prosecutors' Office to request supplementary or re-investigations from the SCIA specifically for the so-called 'seven major crimes' involving vulnerable groups, which include sexual violence, crimes against children and adolescents, stalking, child abuse, abuse of the disabled, elder abuse, and domestic violence.
In addition to the prosecutorial reform bills, 19 livelihood-related bills were also passed. These include amendments to the Saemaul Geumgo Act, allowing the use of statutory reserves to cover losses, standardizing the term of office for central committee chairs elected through by-elections to four years, shortening the payment deadline for suppliers under the Large-Scale Distribution Business Act, and extending the validity period for contributions from financial companies to the Korea Financial Services Agency from five years to 15 years under the Financial Services Act.
Meanwhile, the appointment confirmation bill for Supreme Court Justice nominee Kim Sung-soo was approved with 227 votes in favor, 28 against, and 13 abstentions out of 268 present. If President Yoon Suk-yeol endorses the appointment, Kim will begin a six-year term.
During the session, the National Assembly voted on 51 bills related to prosecutorial reform, including amendments to the SCIA's organizational law. The ruling People Power Party opposed the bills, with lawmaker Park Hyung-soo criticizing the rushed process. He stated, "Can we truly call this a proper reform when we are hastily processing these changes just two weeks before overhauling a 70-year-old criminal justice system? Today's vote will undoubtedly be evaluated by history in the future."
The amended SCIA law allows prosecutors from the Public Prosecutors' Office to request supplementary or re-investigations from the SCIA specifically for the so-called 'seven major crimes' involving vulnerable groups, which include sexual violence, crimes against children and adolescents, stalking, child abuse, abuse of the disabled, elder abuse, and domestic violence.
In addition to the prosecutorial reform bills, 19 livelihood-related bills were also passed. These include amendments to the Saemaul Geumgo Act, allowing the use of statutory reserves to cover losses, standardizing the term of office for central committee chairs elected through by-elections to four years, shortening the payment deadline for suppliers under the Large-Scale Distribution Business Act, and extending the validity period for contributions from financial companies to the Korea Financial Services Agency from five years to 15 years under the Financial Services Act.
Meanwhile, the appointment confirmation bill for Supreme Court Justice nominee Kim Sung-soo was approved with 227 votes in favor, 28 against, and 13 abstentions out of 268 present. If President Yoon Suk-yeol endorses the appointment, Kim will begin a six-year term.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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