[Anchor]
A bill to amend the Criminal Procedure Act, which would abolish prosecutors' direct supplementary investigation powers, has passed a subpanel of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee led by the ruling-bloc parties. While the Democratic Party is pushing to process the bill in a plenary session tomorrow (July 30), the People Power Party plans to counter with a referral to the Agenda Coordination Committee and a filibuster.
Reporter Kim Kwan-jin has the details.
[Reporter]
The 1st Bill Subcommittee of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee processed the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which completely abolishes prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers, late last night.
Lawmakers from the Democratic Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party voted to pass the bill while members of the People Power Party walked out.
The Democratic Party criticized the People Power Party for delaying legislation by refusing to participate in the bill review and vote.
[Han Byung-do, Democratic Party Floor Leader: If there are differing views on a bill, one should present the basis for them, engage in debate and voting, and responsibly state their position.]
The People Power Party protested, stating that the Democratic Party unilaterally processed a bill that has major disagreements between the ruling and opposition parties.
They stated that they proposed reviewing the special counsel bill regarding the National Election Commission first, which is currently under negotiation between the rival parties, but the Democratic Party changed the review order and pushed through the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act.
[Park Hyung-su, People Power Member of the Assembly: This is not reform, but self-righteousness, a legislative outrage that goes against the public will, and merely the Democratic Party's private revenge against the prosecution.]
The People Power Party demanded the formation of the Agenda Coordination Committee—which guarantees a 90-day review period—during today's full meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, whereas the Democratic Party plans to pass the bill through the committee and submit it to a plenary session tomorrow.
However, if the People Power Party engages in a filibuster during the plenary session, the vote on the bill is expected to take place the day after tomorrow.
(Video Editing: Jeon Min-gyu)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.