Byungdo Han: "Aiming to Propose Criminal Procedure Act Amendment This Week"... Democratic Party Speeds Up Prosecutorial Reform

Kim Hangyu: "Proceeding According to the National Assembly's Schedule Without Considering the Party Convention"
Consultations Among Floor Leadership, Policy Committee, and Standing Committee Secretaries

Byungdo Han, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on July 7 that regarding the final stage of prosecutorial reform—the revision of the Criminal Procedure Act—"There has been talk about whether the amendment will be processed before Constitution Day or before the party convention, but we will proceed swiftly without considering any specific timeframe." This indicates the party’s intention to accelerate the process regardless of the scheduling of the Democratic Party’s convention or other events.

At a parliamentary countermeasures meeting held at the National Assembly on the same day, acting leader Han emphasized, "The complete abolition of the supplementary investigative authority is an unwavering principle of the Democratic Party, and there is no internal disagreement on this issue." He added, "The revision of the Criminal Procedure Act will also be carried out steadfastly in accordance with this clear principle and standard." He further stated, "Aiming to introduce the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act within this week, we will accelerate intensive and substantial discussions. While ensuring ample deliberation and debate, our goal is to pass it as soon as possible to ensure that the new Prosecution Office and the Serious Crime Investigation Office are launched smoothly in October."

He expressed his determination by declaring, "We will resolutely bring prosecutorial reform, a mission of our era and a mandate of history, to its conclusion."

Byungdo Han, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Policy Coordination Meeting held at the National Assembly on July 2, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Hankyu Kim, senior deputy floor leader for policy of the Democratic Party, also said on the same day, "We are preparing an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act and will be submitting it soon." He continued, "The chief secretaries of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Public Administration and Security Committee, the deputy chair of the Policy Committee, and I, as the senior deputy floor leader for policy, are gathering various opinions within the party to draft the legislation together." Regarding the direction of the amendment, he promised, "As decided at the general assembly of lawmakers, the supplementary investigative authority of the prosecution will be abolished, and the amendment will include measures to provide checks on police investigations and to protect victims that may arise as a result."

Concerning the future schedule, senior deputy floor leader Kim stated, "Even after the bill is submitted, we will continue discussions within the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and ensure sufficient deliberation within the party. We will also continue efforts to hear public opinion. While we will review everything thoroughly, we intend to proceed swiftly." He added, "We will move forward according to the National Assembly’s schedule, without considering other events such as the floor leadership convention."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.