"Victim Protection or Prosecutorial Reform?" Busan Spinning Kick Victim Stands Between Lee and Han Donghoon

Head-on Clash over Abolition of Supplementary Investigation Authority

Victim to Testify on Personal Experience at National Assembly Panel Discussion

Kim Jinju (alias), the victim of the 'Busan Spinning Kick Incident,' made a public appeal to President Lee Jae-myung to exercise his right of reconsideration (veto power) over the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which abolishes the prosecutor's direct supplementary investigation authority. However, President Lee described the amendment as an “inevitable measure for the correction of justice," aimed at separating investigation and prosecution, and stated it is not a matter that warrants the exercise of veto power. The debate over abolishing the supplementary investigation authority is now expanding beyond the political realm to include issues regarding the protection of crime victims’ rights and the safety mechanisms of criminal investigations.

Victim Kim Jinju of the mountain spinning kick incident appealed to President Lee Jae-myung to exercise his veto power (reconsideration request right) against the recent excessive amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act in the National Assembly. SNS

Previously, on August 3, Kim left a direct message to President Lee on her X account (formerly Twitter), stating, “Mr. President, I joined X because of the abolition of supplementary investigation authority and discussions over abolishing the prosecution service. I thought you would see it here.” She continued, “Please, can you stand with the victims? Please exercise your veto power. I’m begging you.”

"Please watch this whole video"—Message from the Spinning Kick Victim to the President

Kim also shared a video titled "Why the Victim Opposes the Abolition of Supplementary Investigation Authority" from her YouTube channel. She emphasized, “If you think the victim does not fully understand the issue, I urge you to watch this video to the end,” and added, “Over the past year, I have participated in more seminars, forums, and interviews than anyone else.”

The background behind Kim’s opposition to abolishing the prosecutor's direct supplementary investigation authority lies in her own experience with the Busan Spinning Kick Incident investigation process.

In the police investigation phase, evidence of sexual crime that was not properly identified by the police was uncovered through the prosecution’s supplementary investigation. As a result, the charges applied to the perpetrator and his sentence were changed. Kim has consistently argued that “there must be an opportunity to correct what the police may have missed during the prosecution phase,” and that if the prosecutor’s supplementary investigation authority is abolished, crime victims may be forced to bear the consequences of incomplete investigations.

On the other hand, President Lee made it clear at a cabinet meeting at the Blue House on August 4 that he would not exercise his right of reconsideration over the amendment. He said, “The separation of investigation and prosecution is the first step toward normalizing an abnormal criminal justice system,” and called the amendment “an inevitable measure for the correction of justice, aiming to place all public authorities under the control of the people without exception.”

Responding to the calls for veto power, President Lee stated, “It is hard to see the situation as serious enough to invalidate the legislative authority of the National Assembly—such as in cases of unconstitutionality, unenforceability, violation of national interest, or breaches of the executive branch’s exclusive authority.” However, he acknowledged concerns over excessive police power and the potential monopoly on investigative authority, and instructed that follow-up reforms should improve the fairness and competence of investigation to ensure no unjust harm is done to citizens as the new system takes root.

Attending a Panel Discussion Hosted by Han Donghoon... Public Debate Opposing the Abolition of Supplementary Investigation Authority

On the afternoon of August 4, Kim will participate in an emergency panel discussion titled “Banning Supplementary Investigation Means Opening the Gates of Hell,” hosted by independent lawmaker Han Donghoon at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building. During the panel, Kim will have a public dialogue with Congressman Han and explain the investigative procedures of her own case. A video showing Kim undergoing police questioning at the time will also be released, and Kim is expected to take questions from the press.

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon expressed his position on the 30th in front of the National Assembly plenary hall regarding the criminal procedure law amendment bill, led by the Democratic Party of Korea, which proposes the complete abolition of prosecutors' direct investigative authority. Yonhap News

This is not the first meeting between Congressman Han and Kim, the victim in the Spinning Kick Incident. On July 13, after a private discussion with Congressman Han, Kim appealed for the preservation of the prosecution’s supplementary investigation authority. At a related press conference last month, Kim also said, “The current amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act feels like a law only for perpetrators, as it shortens the detention period, strengthens conditional release and suspects’ right to investigation.”

Congressman Han likewise stated, “If supplementary investigation is eliminated, the police become an unchecked authority. While this may satisfy some of the Democratic Party and their hardline supporters in terms of vengeance, does it help victims? Cases like Jang Yoon-ki’s will inevitably multiply.” As Minister of Justice, Han established the “One-Stop Solution Center for Crime Victims” in response to the Busan Spinning Kick Incident, and in 2024, he also contributed a congratulatory message to Kim’s book, “I’ll Fight Because I’m Not Dead.”

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