[Anchor]
As the Democratic Party plans to process a criminal procedure act amendment this week that would completely abolish prosecutors' supplementary investigations, the People Power Party is strongly protesting. Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho, who is reportedly known to have recently offered his resignation, attended the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee today (July 27).
Reporter Kim Kwan-jin has the details.
[Reporter]
The Democratic Party plans to pass the Criminal Procedure Act amendment, which completely abolishes prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers, at the plenary session this week.
Previously, the Democratic Party adopted the amendment centered on the complete separation of investigation and indictment as a party platform during a general meeting of lawmakers last week.
[Han Byeong-do / Democratic Party Floor Leader: There were fierce, heated, yet mature and in-depth discussions. The Democratic Party will definitely process the Criminal Procedure Act amendment at the plenary session this week.]
To prevent side effects stemming from the total abolition, all cases involving seven major crimes targeting vulnerable social groups, such as sex crimes and stalking, will continue to be forwarded to the prosecution.
The People Power Party opposes the move, arguing that a complete abolition of supplementary investigation authority would make it difficult to control shoddy police investigations and could create gaps in protecting crime victims.
If the bill is submitted to the plenary session, the party intends to block the legislation, including through a filibuster.
Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho, who had shown a cautious stance toward the total abolition of supplementary investigation powers, has reportedly offered his resignation recently.
Attending today's plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Minister Jung stated, "Shouldn't new wine be put into new wineskins?" while refraining from giving specific answers regarding the timing of his resignation.
[Jung Sung-ho / Minister of Justice: The President is working hard for the national interest. My political future is not an important issue.]
The Democratic Party plans to wrap up follow-up legislation so that the new criminal justice system can be implemented in line with the launch of the Prosecution Service and the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency in October.
In the plenary meeting of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, which People Power Party lawmakers attended for the first time since the organization of the second half of the National Assembly, lawmakers from both rival parties engaged in a debate over the Criminal Procedure Act amendment.
[Video Editing: Lee Seung-jin]
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.