▲ People Power Party Representative Jang Dong-hyeok speaks at a debate titled "The Investigative Void Revealed by the Jang Yoon-gi Case and the Necessity of Supplementary Investigative Authority," held at the National Assembly on July 14.
The People Power Party held a debate on July 14 regarding the prosecution's supplementary investigative authority, arguing for its retention by citing the "Jang Yoon-gi case" as evidence of the need for police oversight.
Representative Jang Dong-hyeok attended the debate and stated, "Looking at the Jang Yoon-gi case, it becomes clear that relying on the good intentions of the police to conduct a proper investigation is not only impossible, but it also leads to the conclusion that what we need right now is police reform." He added, "It demonstrates that there is an absolute necessity for someone to check and control the massive power of the police."
"If all investigative authority is handed over to the police, a 'monster police' will be born," Jang said. "In particular, completely abolishing the supplementary investigative authority is out of the question. This is not a gift that can be easily handed over for the sake of any one person or to appease a hardline support base."
Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sik remarked, "This case is one where the police, who should be uncovering the truth, instead turned a blind eye to it, concealed evidence, and betrayed the public." He continued, "If the prosecution's supplementary investigative authority is abolished in such a situation, even the minimal checks and balances to prevent poor police investigations and the abuse of investigative power could be neutralized."
Kim Mi-ae, the Senior Deputy Floor Leader for Policy who hosted the debate, asked, "Watching recent events, I find myself asking fundamental questions about why the state exists." She added, "For the past 80 years, our criminal justice system has protected victims and realized justice through mutual cooperation and oversight between the prosecution and the police. Why is this system collapsing now?"
Kim Jin-ju (a pseudonym), the victim of the "Busan Roundhouse Kick" case, also attended the debate.
"The (roundhouse kick) case was initially filed as an assault case, and it was only after I submitted a medical certificate for disability that the police referred it to the prosecution as a serious injury case," Kim said. "It is not that one side is lacking. Because they view things from different positions, the errors they catch are also different. Therefore, having another agency verify the judgments made during the investigation stage should not be an option, but a duty."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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