DPK to Hold Public Briefing Next Week on Criminal Procedure Act Amendment Abolishing Prosecutors' Supplementary Investigation Rights

Han Byung-do: "Explaining Follow-up Measures After System Reform"

The Democratic Party of Korea announced on July 31 that it will hold a public briefing next Monday to explain the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which abolishes prosecutors' supplementary investigation rights and is scheduled to pass the National Assembly’s plenary session, as well as to outline follow-up measures.

Joo Ho-young, a member of the People Power Party, is engaged in an unlimited debate on the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which focuses on abolishing the prosecutor’s supplementary investigation authority, during the plenary session held at the National Assembly on July 30, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Han Byungdo, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated at the party’s supreme council meeting at the National Assembly that morning, “Today’s amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act is not the end of prosecution reform, but the beginning of a new criminal justice system. We will hold a public forum next Monday to explain in detail what will change and which follow-up measures we will pursue.”

Han also emphasized, “There must be no loopholes in the protection of the people’s rights or gaps in investigation during the implementation of the new system. We will make sure to answer the public’s questions thoroughly and address every concern that is raised.”

The Democratic Party will also work on institutional follow-up measures. Han noted, “We will establish an in-house body to strengthen the rights of victims of crime, especially those targeting the vulnerable, and meticulously prepare all related legislation and systems to ensure the seamless launch of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency on October 2.”

Regarding the significance of the amendment, Han said, “It marks a historic turning point by ending the concentration of power that enabled prosecutors to both investigate and indict, and by separating these functions, it subjects prosecutorial authority to constitutional and public oversight. The criminal justice system, which has centered on prosecutors for over 70 years, will finally stand as a system of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

The Democratic Party plans to pass the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act during the plenary session in the afternoon. The amendment was introduced at 4:04 p.m. the previous day, but the People Power Party launched a filibuster in an attempt to block the vote, causing a delay. Under current National Assembly rules, a filibuster can be forcibly ended by a vote of the majority party 24 hours after it begins, so the amendment is expected to pass in the plenary session after 4 p.m. today.

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