Acting Prosecutor General Expresses 'Deep Concern' Over Criminal Procedure Act Revision, Warns Public Will Bear the Cost

 
Acting Prosecutor General Koo Ja-hyun has issued an official statement expressing "deep concern" ahead of the National Assembly's deliberation on a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act that would completely abolish prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers.

In a statement released this morning (July 29), Acting Chief Koo said, "As the acting prosecutor general, I carry a heavy heart regarding the content and direction of the discussions currently underway in the National Assembly to abolish prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers and amend the Criminal Procedure Act."

He continued, "As confirmed in numerous recent cases, if prosecutors' effective functions of reviewing, supplementing, and correcting the findings of primary investigative agencies disappear, the truth will be concealed and South Korea's criminal justice system will collapse." He warned, "The resulting damage will be borne by the citizens, who need the state's protection more than anyone else."

"In particular, a majority of citizens believe that supplementary investigations by prosecutors are necessary," Koo emphasized, adding, "Various sectors of society, including the legal community, women's groups, and victim support organizations, are also continuously expressing their concerns."

He explained, "The current situation shows that the institutional reform envisioned by the public is not simply about stripping prosecutors of their authority, but must be carried out in a direction that protects citizens from crime."

"I believe the National Assembly is well aware of this," Koo said, urging, "I ask that you thoroughly examine what the criminal justice system for the people should be during upcoming discussions, such as the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's full committee meeting, so that all citizens are solidly protected by the law and no one is left harboring unredressed grievances."

Yesterday (July 28), the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee held its 1st Subcommittee on Bill Examination and passed the revision to the Criminal Procedure Act, which includes the abolition of prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers, led by the ruling-bloc parties.

The Democratic Party plans to sequentially hold a full committee meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee today and a plenary session tomorrow (July 30) to wrap up the processing of the Criminal Procedure Act revision.

If the People Power Party requests a filibuster (unlimited debate) during tomorrow's plenary session, the revision is expected to pass the day after tomorrow (July 31).
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.