The Democratic Party of Korea has finalized a plan to pursue the complete abolition of the prosecution’s supplementary investigation rights, aiming to pass the necessary Criminal Procedure Act amendments as early as next week. Han Byung-do, acting party leader and floor leader, confirmed the shift during a Supreme Council meeting on July 22, stating the party intends to resolve internal debates on the issue before the August 17 national convention.
Consolidating Party Stance on Prosecution Reform
The party’s decision marks a rapid pivot from its position on July 14, when leadership suggested a period of deliberation following a proposal by 11 lawmakers, including Hong Ki-won, to partially retain certain supplementary investigation powers. Han emphasized that the separation of investigation and indictment is the foundational principle of the party’s reform agenda. According to Han, the party must now unify its stance to prevent any potential return to past power structures, warning that “small loopholes” could allow the essence of prosecutorial authority to remain unchanged even if the agency’s name were altered.
Did You Know?
The Democratic Party’s shift toward a “complete abolition” of supplementary investigation rights occurred within approximately one week of 11 party lawmakers proposing a bill that would have allowed for the partial retention of those same powers.
Strengthening Procedural Safeguards
To address concerns regarding the impact of removing these powers, party leadership plans to reinforce the “supplementary investigation request rights.” Han stated that the party intends to clarify the responsibilities of investigative agencies to ensure they fulfill requests promptly and faithfully. Furthermore, the proposed changes include provisions to expand rights for victims, specifically regarding the right to file objections, the right to review investigation records, and the right to receive legal assistance.
Legislative Timeline and Next Steps
The Democratic Party aims to conclude the legislative process within July, with some officials indicating that a vote during next week’s plenary session remains a possibility. A member of the floor leadership confirmed to the Hankyoreh that the party is not ruling out a vote as early as next week, while other party officials have stated that the goal is to finalize the process well before the August 17 convention. This move follows a statement from the Blue House, which suggested that reaching a conclusion on the supplementary investigation issue early would be beneficial to minimize unnecessary confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core objective of the Democratic Party’s proposed legislation?
The party aims to completely abolish the prosecution’s supplementary investigation rights to ensure a clear separation between the roles of investigation and indictment.
When does the party expect to pass the amendment?
The party aims to process the amendment as early as next week, with an internal goal of completing the process before the August 17 national convention.
How does the party plan to mitigate potential investigative gaps?
Leadership plans to strengthen the effectiveness of supplementary investigation requests and expand protections for victims, including the right to review records and receive legal assistance.
How will the proposed changes to the Criminal Procedure Act affect the legal rights of victims in the current system?
Keep reading