[Anchor]
The aftermath continues following the passage of the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act at the National Assembly plenary session yesterday (the 31st). While the opposition camp has slammed the legislation as the "worst bad law," the Democratic Party has described it as a "historic turning point." However, voices of concern are already emerging from within the ruling party itself.
First, we have a report from Son Hyeong-an.
[Reporter]
Following the passage of the Criminal Procedure Act amendment at the National Assembly plenary session yesterday—which completely abolishes prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers—the People Power Party ramped up its criticism today, calling it the "worst bad law that ignores the protection of the socially vulnerable."
The party also announced plans to hold a Supreme Council meeting in front of the presidential office the day after tomorrow to deliver public opposition sentiment.
[Park Sung-hoon / Chief Spokesperson, People Power Party: What is important is ultimately how angry the public is over this issue, and ensuring that public sentiment is properly delivered to the presidential office.]
Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon has also demanded that the president exercise veto power, with the conservative opposition camp raising even stronger voices of criticism following the passage of the amendment.
On the other hand, the Democratic Party praised the move as a "historic turning point," stating that "a new criminal justice system has begun that disperses authority and clarifies responsibility," and is accelerating follow-up measures.
The party announced it would hold a public reporting session, adding that it has "thickened victim protection and will also look into raised concerns."
[Han Byung-do / Floor Leader, Democratic Party (Yesterday): Next Monday (the 3rd), we plan to hold a public reporting session on the Criminal Procedure Act to report in detail to the public on what follow-up measures we will pursue.]
The party is launching a public relations offensive to dispel public misunderstandings and worries ahead of the amendment's implementation, but concerns are being raised even within the ruling bloc itself.
Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Un-ju, who was absent from the plenary session due to health issues, expressed regret on social media today, saying, "Considering the majority public sentiment opposing the abolition of supplementary investigation powers, we should have been more cautious."
Despite the Democratic Party's push for party-line consensus, lawmaker Kwak Sang-downvoted against the bill while lawmaker Lee So-young abstained during yesterday's National Assembly plenary vote.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
Reported by Son Hyeong-an | Video by Lee Seung-hwan and Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing by Nam Il | Graphics by Park Cheon-woong
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