The National Assembly's Legislative and Judiciary Committee approved a comprehensive special prosecutor bill on July 15, led by the Democratic Party. The bill aims to extend the investigation period for three major special investigations, including those related to insurrection, Kim Geon-hee, and Chae Hae-byeong, and to expand the investigative personnel.
Kim Seung-won, a Democratic Party member of the committee, announced during the full committee meeting, "We have prepared an alternative to the 'Partial Amendment to the Law on the Appointment of Special Prosecutors for the Investigation of Insurrection, Foreign Exchange, and State Affairs Manipulation by Yoon Seok-yeol and Kim Geon-hee,' which I co-sponsored with fellow Democratic Party member Kang Deuk-gu."
He explained, "We have expanded the number of dispatched public officials from a maximum of 130 to 150, allowing for the investigation period to be extended by up to 30 days twice per session with presidential approval." If the bill passes the National Assembly, the investigation deadline is expected to be updated from July 24 to August 23.
Additionally, he noted that the bill allows for the efficient investigation of the comprehensive special prosecutor by providing access to copies of records from the three major special investigations.
Meanwhile, there was a heated debate among committee members regarding a proposed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act that would abolish supplementary investigative powers. Within the ruling coalition, there are differing opinions on completely abolishing these powers while maintaining some exceptions for victim protection.
Notably, members of the People Power Party boycotted the meeting in protest of the committee's composition.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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