[Anchor]
The additional charges against Jang Yun-gi and the allegations of leaked investigation information by the police were uncovered through the prosecution's supplementary investigations. The ruling party is currently accelerating the final stages of prosecution reform, with the core focus being the complete abolition of these supplementary investigation rights. However, some within the ruling party are voicing concerns about potential side effects.
Reporter Go Jeong-hyeon has the story.
[Reporter]
At the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee meeting held on July 2, attended only by lawmakers from the pan-ruling bloc.
Lawmakers called for a fast-track approach to amending the Criminal Procedure Act to abolish the prosecution's right to conduct supplementary investigations.
[Park Eun-jung / Rebuilding Korea Party Lawmaker: The amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act must be processed within July so that the prosecution reform desired by the people can...]
If the Criminal Procedure Act is amended in line with the ruling bloc's position to abolish supplementary investigation rights based on the principle of separating investigation and prosecution, prosecutors at the Public Prosecution Service, which is set to launch in October, will only be responsible for roles such as indicting cases investigated by the police to the court.
There are concerns that if police investigations are insufficient or shoddy, there will be no way to intervene. The amendment proposed by pan-ruling bloc lawmakers includes a "right to request supplementary investigation," which allows prosecutors to request fact-checking from the police, stipulating that "the police must implement supplementary investigations without delay unless there is a justifiable reason."
Nevertheless, some within the ruling party express concerns about side effects such as delays in case processing or the excessive concentration of power within the police.
Some argue that "it is true that there are many voices of concern regarding the abolition of supplementary investigation rights, and we must address what needs to be addressed," or that "if public opinion is unfavorable, we can discuss keeping the supplementary investigation rights on a conditional basis."
Minister of Justice Jeong Sung-ho also highlights the fact that the prosecution uncovered the charge that Jang Yun-gi, the suspect in the Gwangju high school girl murder case, committed the murder for the purpose of sexual assault through a supplementary investigation, and he remains negative about the total abolition of these rights.
Seo Young-kyo, the Democratic Party lawmaker who chairs the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, stated that she would sufficiently discuss safeguards to prevent harm through party task forces.
[Seo Young-kyo / Chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee (Democratic Party Lawmaker): Because there are demands for mechanisms to check the police if an investigation is not conducted properly when the statute of limitations mentioned by the President is approaching, and also to allow for the replacement of investigators, all these things are being requested.]
It is reported that during the Democratic Party lawmakers' workshop held on July 3, members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and Minister Jeong discussed various issues regarding the abolition of supplementary investigation rights.
The People Power Party maintains the position that supplementary investigation rights are essential, so clashes between the ruling and opposition parties are expected during the legislative process.
(Video reporting: Oh Young-chun, Video editing: Park Seon-soo)
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