▲ Han Byung-do, Acting Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on July 15.
Amid ongoing debate within the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) over the complete abolition of the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights, the party leadership has stated that it has never officially adopted the abolition as a party platform.
Following the Jang Yoon-ki case, which has sparked calls for caution and intensified internal disagreement regarding the abolition of these rights, the leadership appears to be adjusting the pace to ensure the legislative proposal is more robust.
Kang Joon-hyun, the senior spokesperson, stated in a briefing immediately after the Supreme Council meeting today, "The amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act regarding supplementary investigation rights has never been adopted as an official party platform," adding, "Once opinions are gathered and the bill is drafted, we can hold a general meeting of lawmakers to adopt it as a party platform."
Kim Han-kyu, the senior deputy floor leader for policy, also met with reporters and explained, "It has not been endorsed as a party platform. There seems to be an assumption that the abolition of supplementary investigation rights is a prerequisite for the establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and the Public Prosecution Service, but there has been no official procedure to endorse it as a party platform."
Han Byung-do, Acting Leader and Floor Leader, emphasized, "For the new criminal justice system to launch without a hitch on October 2, legislation must be completed in a timely manner alongside sufficient deliberation." He added, "We will continue to engage in intense discussion and deliberation, gathering a wide range of opinions not only from within the party but also from the legal community, academia, and civil society."
However, some members of the pro-Jung Chung-rae faction within the party argued that the abolition of supplementary investigation rights is a clear party platform.
Supreme Council member Moon Jeong-bok stated on Facebook today, "Recently, there have been movements within the party to blur or effectively retreat from the purpose of abolishing supplementary investigation rights," adding, "The abolition of supplementary investigation rights is a clear party platform that the DPK has already announced to party members and the public."
She added, "Prosecution reform is a task of the times that party members and the public have ordered the DPK to carry out, and the DPK has promised to complete it. If this is shaken or derailed again by conflicting interests and claims within the party, the DPK will bear a great responsibility before history."
Rep. Choi Min-hee, who is running for the Supreme Council, also criticized a bill proposed yesterday by Rep. Hong Ki-won and others—which focuses on the limited permission of supplementary investigation rights—labeling it a "bill to preserve prosecution investigation rights." She stated, "I hope you will support the members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee who intend to complete the abolition of the prosecution's investigation rights."
On the other hand, Rep. Kim Nam-hee, who co-proposed the bill with Rep. Hong, criticized this stance on SBS Radio today, saying, "The abolition of supplementary investigation rights is being used as a political tool to appeal to hardline party members as if it were an absolute truth and an inviolable area. As a politician, this is a very inappropriate act."
She also emphasized, "The public is very worried because of the Jang Yoon-ki case," adding, "While speed is important in policy decision-making, there must be a sufficient process of communication and persuasion."
Rep. Park Jie-won, a senior member of the party, also said on YTN Radio today, "I also said I was absolutely against maintaining supplementary investigation rights, but I have changed my position," adding, "It is right to have supplementary investigation rights for cases involving the socially vulnerable, youth, sexual crimes against women, and crimes against the disabled."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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