Ruling Party Accelerates Abolition of Supplementary Investigation Authority... Opposition Protests "Police Oversight Disappearing"

Democratic Party Aims to Pass Bill by Next Month

People Power Party Warns of "Another Jang Yunki Case"

Alternative Bill and Hearing Under Consideration

The Democratic Party of Korea has begun reviewing a proposed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act aimed at abolishing the prosecution’s supplementary investigation authority, thereby accelerating legislative efforts for prosecution reform. The People Power Party has strongly opposed the abolition of the supplementary investigation authority and has vowed to block it with all available means. As the standoff between the two parties intensifies, negotiations over the formation of standing committees are also expected to face significant difficulties for the time being.

On July 10, the Democratic Party of Korea convened the Legislation and Judiciary Committee’s Bill Review Subcommittee 1 on its own and began deliberating the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act. The previous day, the Democratic Party had introduced a revision that would abolish both the prosecution’s direct investigation authority and supplementary investigation authority, consolidating investigative powers with the police.

On July 10, at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's Bill Review Subcommittee 1 held at the National Assembly, Subcommittee Chair Seungwon Kim is presiding over the session. Seats of the People Power Party members who were absent from the meeting remain empty. July 10, 2026 Photo by Hyunmin Kim

The Democratic Party is expediting the process with the goal of passing the bill by next month. Seo Young-kyo, chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, stated, “We will make improvements to ensure that prosecutors can adequately fulfill their roles through requests for supplementary investigation,” adding, “We will move quickly, but make sure the bill is comprehensive.”

However, concerns regarding the abolition of the supplementary investigation authority have also been raised within the Democratic Party. Hong Ki-won, a Democratic Party lawmaker, stated on KBS Radio that he plans to sponsor a bill that would allow exceptions to the abolition, recognizing the prosecution’s supplementary investigation authority in cases involving crimes against socially vulnerable groups, civil matters, and cases approaching the statute of limitations.

The People Power Party has strongly objected, insisting that abolishing the supplementary investigation authority could lead to repeated instances of downplayed, covered-up, or poorly investigated cases, such as the “Jang Yoon-ki incident.” The party intends to draft an alternative bill and adopt it as its official position, and is also considering pursuing a National Assembly hearing to uncover the truth behind the “Jang Yoon-ki incident.”

Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, visited the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency the previous day to protest the police response to the “Jang Yoon-ki incident.” Appearing on New Daily’s YouTube channel that day, Jang criticized, “The police response I witnessed in Gwangju yesterday illustrates the reality that the public will face if the supplementary investigation authority is abolished,” adding, “The last safeguard for protecting people’s lives and safety will disappear.”

Floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik also expressed concern about concentrating investigative powers in the hands of the police and proposed forming a consultative body among the ruling and opposition parties and the government to establish checks and balances on exclusive investigative authority.

As the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties over prosecution reform legislation intensifies, it has become increasingly likely that negotiations for forming standing committees will remain deadlocked for the foreseeable future. When asked about the prospects for reaching an agreement before Constitution Day, floor leader Jeong indicated difficulties in the negotiations, stating, “Each side has a different position.”

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