Jo Jung-sik: "The Criminal Procedure Act Is a Long-Standing Issue... Will Make Bold Decisions When Needed"

"Abuse of Prosecutorial Investigative Authority Is a Longstanding Issue... Prosecutorial Reform Is Necessary"

Jo Jung-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly, commented on the handling of the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which centers on the abolition of the supplementary investigative authority, an issue sharply divided between the ruling and opposition parties. He said, "The Criminal Procedure Act has been a longstanding issue," adding, "While I will be patient to allow both parties to negotiate and discuss as much as possible, when a decisive moment arrives, I will make bold decisions."

Speaker Jo made these remarks at a press conference held at Sarangchae in the National Assembly on July 28, responding to a question concerning the Democratic Party of Korea's plan to bring the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act to the plenary session scheduled for July 30.

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Jo Jung-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly, is giving a greeting during his first press conference held at Sarangchae, the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on July 28, 2026. [Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group] photo@yna.co.kr (End)

He addressed public concerns surrounding the Criminal Procedure Act amendment, which is focused on abolishing the supplementary investigative authority, stating, "The abuse of prosecutorial investigative authority has been a long-standing problem," and, "I believe that prosecutorial reform has progressed with the basic aim of separating investigation and indictment."

He continued, "However, there have been cases raised that investigations into socially disadvantaged groups could become lax or that wrongful victims could emerge during that process, and many people are worried about that," adding, "Additional measures are needed in response, and I believe both parties share the same view on that point." He emphasized, "Since discussions are currently underway in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee to formulate supplementary measures, I am closely monitoring the process, and will make a decision on how to handle the Criminal Procedure Act after observing the course until the end."

Regarding the revision to the National Assembly Act, which aims to make it easier to end a filibuster and was submitted to the National Assembly Steering Committee mainly by the Democratic Party the previous day, Speaker Jo said, "I fundamentally agree with the intention that a filibuster is meant to allow minority voices to be heard and to guarantee the right to speak. However, as seen in the previous half of the National Assembly, there have been cases where filibusters have been politically abused."

He went on to say, "Even when opinions differ, the principle of majority rule holds. Many decisions are made by majority vote in both standing committees and plenary sessions, yet filibusters have become commonplace. As Speaker, I will continue to ensure that the National Assembly operates smoothly by encouraging sufficient dialogue and efforts to narrow differences between the parties."

Regarding the moves, led by the Democratic Party, to amend related National Assembly regulations to shorten the fast-track period, he remarked, "It is not appropriate for vital economic and livelihood bills, which have already been agreed upon between both parties in standing committees and submitted to the plenary session, to be collectively put on hold due to being caught up in the fast-track process. There has also been criticism that the fast-track system itself has lost its effectiveness, or that the nearly one-year duration is excessively long. We need to approach this rationally," he concluded.

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