Conflict Over 'Supplementary Investigation Rights': Rhee Si-min's Claim That 'President Does Not Want It' Sparks Controversy

[Anchor]

Internal debate within the ruling party over the abolition of the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights is intensifying. There is a public clash between those who argue that these rights should be exceptionally permitted to protect the socially vulnerable and those who claim that anything short of a complete abolition represents a retreat in prosecution reform. Remarks made by pro-ruling party commentator Rhee Si-min, who stated that "the reason prosecution reform is not happening is because President Lee Jae-myung does not want it," are also causing significant repercussions.

Reporter Kim Kwan-jin has the story.

[Reporter]

The plenary session of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly was held in the absence of People Power Party lawmakers.

Regarding the issue of the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights, even among ruling party lawmakers, there was a clash between those arguing that exceptions should be allowed to protect crime victims, and...

[Kim Nam-hee/Democratic Party lawmaker: Too many opinions are being poured out. The Lee Jae-myung administration must take responsibility for all future problems.]

...those arguing that an alternative must be prepared under the principle of total abolition.

[Kim Yong-min/Democratic Party lawmaker: Let us design a system that completely blocks the abuse of power by prosecutors institutionally, while ensuring the state does not neglect victim relief.]

The party leadership, which had previously stated that the complete abolition of supplementary investigation rights was a firm principle, appeared to be adjusting its pace today (July 15), saying, "It has never been decided as a party platform," which led to open backlash.

[Han Byung-do/Democratic Party Floor Leader: We will widely collect opinions from the legal community, academia, and civil society, and engage in intense discussion and deliberation...]

[Park Gyu-hwan/Democratic Party Supreme Council Member: Could (prosecution reform) be running aground due to the collusion and betrayal of Democratic Party lawmakers?]

Meanwhile, writer Rhee Si-min, known as a commentator for the pan-ruling camp, claimed that some ruling party lawmakers are opposing the complete abolition of supplementary investigation rights and proposing bills for partial permission because they know the thoughts of President Lee Jae-myung, stating the following:

[Rhee Si-min/Writer (YouTube 'Choi Wook's Maebul Show'): The reason prosecution reform has not been achieved for over a year is because the President does not want the complete separation of investigation and prosecution... Setting aside whether it is right or wrong, we are heading down a path of inevitable failure.]

In response, Democratic Party lawmaker Park Jie-won, who shifted his position from total abolition to limited permission of supplementary investigation rights following the 'Jang Yoon-ki case,' criticized Rhee on social media, asking, "What has the Democratic Party been doing regarding prosecution reform, including the dismantling of the Prosecutors' Office?" and stating that "it has caused great harm to the Lee Jae-myung administration and the Democratic Party." Lawmaker Jang Cheol-min also sharpened his tone, saying, "Writer Rhee has crossed the line."

Meanwhile, the conflict within the ruling camp is intensifying, with protest comments from party members and supporters flooding the social media accounts of some ruling party lawmakers who supported the bill for the exceptional permission of supplementary investigation rights.

(Video coverage: Oh Young-chun, Kim Yong-woo | Video editing: Park Sun-soo | Graphics: Choi Jin-hye)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.