[Anchor]
An amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which eliminates both prosecutors' direct investigation powers and supplementary investigation powers, has been approved at a Cabinet meeting. President Lee Jae-myung noted that while controversies exist, it is difficult to view the bill as denying the legislative power of the National Assembly, and thus decided not to exercise his veto power.
[Reporter] Kang Cheongwan has the story.
[Reporter]
The Cabinet meeting tabled the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which abolishes prosecutors' direct and supplementary investigation powers.
President Lee Jae-myung stated that although there are many controversies and differing opinions, the bill does not reach the point of denying the legislative power of the National Assembly.
[President Lee Jae-myung: It is difficult to view this bill as being in such a serious situation that it denies the National Assembly's legislative power—such as being unconstitutional, impossible to execute, contrary to the national interest, or infringing upon the executive branch's inherent authority.]
After the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act was passed by the National Assembly on the 31st of last month, led by the ruling-bloc parties, President Lee drew a line against exercising the veto power urged by conservative opposition parties and some civic groups.
[President Lee Jae-myung: Exercising the veto power is not something that can be done simply because opinions differ, but rather according to the principle of the separation of powers...]
President Lee defined the past decades during which prosecutors exercised concentrated powers—including investigation, indictment, and warrant requests—as an abnormal system.
Regarding the police, who will take over the investigation powers, he added the following concerns.
[President Lee Jae-myung: The (police's) powers have grown enormously, but have they taken, or can they take, corresponding responsibility? I worked as a lawyer for a long time, and I found it hard to trust investigations not only by the prosecution but also by the police.]
Citing the "Jang Yoon-ki case" as an example, President Lee repeatedly emphasized that there must be no unfair victims.
[President Lee Jae-myung: The Jang Yoon-ki case symbolizes just one case, but how devastating would it be? To a public official, it is just one of dozens or hundreds of cases they handle, but to the individual involved, it is a matter of their life and livelihood.]
President Lee stated that no reform is concluded with a single institutional change, and promised to supplement areas that are deficient or flawed.
(Video by: Jeong Sang-bo, Ha Ryung)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.