President Lee Unlikely to Exercise Veto on Criminal Procedure Act Revision, Stating It Does Not Undermine Legislative Rights

Regarding the submission of the Criminal Procedure Act revision bill—which abolishes prosecutors' direct investigative powers—to the Cabinet meeting, President Lee Jae-myung stated, "Although there is much controversy, it is difficult to view the potential side effects of this bill as being severe enough to constitute unconstitutionality, an infringement on the executive branch's inherent authority, or an undermining of the National Assembly's legislative rights."

While some members of the opposition had called for the President to exercise his right for reconsideration (veto) regarding the bill, this is interpreted as a decision indicating that he effectively does not intend to use the veto.

Presiding over the Cabinet meeting at the presidential office on this day, President Lee stated, "Exercising a veto is not something that can be done simply because opinions differ. It is meant to be done when there is a threat to the principle of the separation of powers or a violation of the constitutional order," adding that the current bill does not appear to have reached that threshold.

In particular, President Lee highlighted the bill as "a foundation for normalizing the judicial system," emphasizing that its implementation is desirable.

President Lee pointed out, "For decades, the prosecution has wielded excessively broad powers across the entire criminal and judicial system, ranging from investigation and indictment to requesting warrants. Under this abnormal system, the prosecution has abused its omnipotent power as a matter of course, repeating practices such as covering up existing cases, collateral investigations to punish predetermined targets, and exhaustive, dust-sifting targeted investigations."

He reflected, "In the process, innocent citizens suffered unbearable damage, and there were even frequent occurrences of individuals taking their own lives. Furthermore, even the majority of prosecutors who faithfully and quietly carried out their duties had to bear the stigma of being political prosecutors."

He went on to evaluate, "The separation of investigation and indictment is the initial starting point for normalizing this abnormal system and an inevitable measure of justice ensuring that all power agencies are placed under public control without exception."

However, President Lee also instructed, "On the other hand, concerns are growing over the police's monopoly and concentration of investigative powers. Follow-up measures, such as institutional arrangements to complement this, are necessary."

President Lee urged, "In particular, there must not be the slightest loophole in ensuring investigative fairness and enhancing investigative capabilities so that citizens do not suffer unjust damage during the settlement process of the new investigative system."

Addressing the prosecution, he emphasized, "The prosecution's duty to protect the public and the rule of law is not diminished in the slightest. As a representative guardian of the public interest, I hope the prosecution will more faithfully fulfill its responsibility as a defender of human rights and be reborn as a prosecution for all citizens."

To the police, he stated, "The police, as the staff of the people, must also strive with a bone-crushing attitude to eradicate internal corruption, substantially protect victims, and strengthen democratic control, thereby being reborn as a trustworthy police force for the people."

President Lee promised, "Reform means stripping away skin. There is no reform that is easily concluded by a single institutional change. We will meticulously inspect whether the changed system operates properly according to its original intent from the public's eye level, and if there are any deficient or wrong parts, we will promptly, boldly, and thoroughly supplement them."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.