Criminal Procedure Act Abolishing Prosecutors' Supplementary Investigation Rights Passes National Assembly... Ruling Bloc: "Prosecution Reform Achieved"

Democratic Party Leadership Hopefuls Welcome Reform
Moon: "Deeply Moved"

After the National Assembly plenary session passed the revision of the Criminal Procedure Act, which centers on abolishing prosecutors’ supplementary investigation rights, the ruling bloc emphasized the significance of having fulfilled the long-standing objective of prosecution reform. While the main Democratic Party of Korea leadership hopefuls welcomed the passage of the amendment, they each expressed different opinions regarding who can claim credit for the achievement and about future tasks to be addressed.

On July 31, the National Assembly convened a plenary session and, led by the Democratic Party of Korea and the wider coalition, adopted the revision to the Criminal Procedure Act. This amendment serves as a follow-up legislative measure to the Prosecution Service Act and the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency Act, both set to take effect on October 2. Its core purpose is to achieve complete separation between investigation and indictment by abolishing both prosecutors’ direct investigation rights and their supplementary investigation rights.

On the 31st, the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, focusing on the abolition of the prosecutor's supplementary investigation authority, was passed at the plenary session of the National Assembly. Photo by Yonhap News

Candidates who advanced to the finals of the upcoming Democratic Party national convention representative election in August also commented one after another. On the same day, candidate Jung Chungrae posted a message announcing the passage of the law to former President Roh Moo-hyun, who spearheaded earlier prosecution reforms, and is now deceased. Jung stated, “At last, a historic prosecution reform bill has been enacted. For the past 17 years, I have never once forgotten your intentions and have steadfastly committed myself to achieving reform.”

He continued, “Prosecution reform is the essence of democracy,” and added, “Throughout my years as a member of the Democratic Party, I have never lost sight of prosecution reform, holding firmly to the three core principles of reform with only the people and party members in mind.”

Candidate Kim Minseok assessed the passage of the amendment as an achievement of the Lee Jaemyung administration. Kim emphasized, “We have now overcome another great obstacle in prosecution reform. This is another historic accomplishment made possible by the Lee Jaemyung administration’s strong determination and reform-minded decisions, proving its commitment to promises made to the public.” He added, “We will consistently and resolutely pursue prosecution and judicial reforms to protect the public and the vulnerable.”

Candidate Song Younggil also welcomed the passage of the legislation but took a jab at Jung. Song said, “With the one-person-one-vote passage and the abolition of supplementary investigation rights, there will be no more opportunity to use this issue as a political slogan in the party convention,” adding, “I intend to scrutinize Jung Chungrae’s justification for running for party leader at the next debate.”

He went on to say, “Passing the law is not the completion of reform but the beginning of greater responsibility. Ensuring that the system is firmly established without wavering is the first task for the new Democratic Party leadership.”

Meanwhile, former President Moon Jae-in, who had previously led prosecution reform efforts, also expressed his approval of the bill’s passage. Moon stated, “I am deeply moved and relieved that the complete separation of investigation and indictment authority, which was not fully achieved during my administration, can finally be accomplished.”

He added, “Because this is an undertaking that will fundamentally reshape a criminal justice system that has lasted nearly 80 years, there is much to prepare and very little time. I urge thorough preparation to ensure that public rights and interests are not violated and that national investigative capacity does not deteriorate during the reform process.”

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