South Korea's Ruling Party Adopts Bill to Strip Prosecution of Direct Investigation Rights
Quick Look
- South Korea's ruling Democratic Party adopted a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act, making it official party line to strip the prosecution of its direct investigation rights, including supplementary investigations.
- The party also plans to establish a dedicated team within the serious crimes investigation agency for vulnerable victims, with the bill expected to be voted on next Thursday.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Democratic Party has been pushing ahead with prosecution reform legislation that calls for dismantling the prosecution and creating two new agencies each tasked with handling investigations and indictments.
SEOUL, July 24 (Yonhap) -- The ruling Democratic Party (DP) on Friday adopted as its official party line a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act aimed at stripping the prosecution of its right to conduct direct investigations, including supplementary investigations.
During a policy meeting of its lawmakers, the DP decided to pursue the revision, according to the party's floor spokesperson, Rep. Lee Ju-hee. Under the proposed revision, the prosecution's right to conduct supplementary investigations will be abolished while measures to better protect victims will be expanded amid concerns that negative effects could arise if all of the prosecution's investigative rights are scrapped.
The party also agreed to swiftly push for a revision to an act on the serious crimes investigation agency to establish a dedicated team within the agency that will be allowed to conduct supplementary investigations on crimes targeting socially vulnerable people.
The DP earlier finalized its position on abolishing the prosecution's supplementary investigative authority despite concerns among some party lawmakers that it could weaken protection for victims.
Observers said the bill is expected to be put to a vote at a plenary session as early as next Thursday after a review by the National Assembly's legislation and judiciary committee.
The DP has been pushing ahead with the prosecution reform legislation that calls for dismantling the prosecution and creating two new agencies each tasked with handling investigations and indictments.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The bill will be put to a vote at a plenary session.
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- How will the dedicated team for vulnerable victims function?
- What specific measures will better protect victims?
