President Lee Says Prosecution Investigation Rights Abolition Bill Does Not Warrant Veto

[Anchor]

President Lee Jae-myung has signaled that he will effectively not exercise his veto power regarding the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act that completely abolishes the investigative powers of prosecutors. President Lee stated that it is difficult to view the law as being serious enough to deny the National Assembly's legislative authority, such as by being unconstitutional or infringing upon the inherent powers of the executive branch.

[Reporter]

The Cabinet meeting presided over by President Lee today (August 4) submitted the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which completely strips prosecutors of their investigative powers after it passed the National Assembly last week.

Amid calls from the opposition party and parts of civil society urging President Lee to exercise his veto power, President Lee noted that there is considerable controversy and differing opinions surrounding the law, and stated the following:

[President Lee Jae-myung: It is difficult to see this legislative bill as being serious enough to deny the National Assembly's legislative authority, such as being unconstitutional, unimplementable, contrary to the national interest, or infringing upon the inherent powers of the executive branch.]

President Lee stated that constitutional scholars hold the view that exercising veto power cannot be done simply because opinions differ, but is only possible in cases that violate the separation of powers or breach the constitutional order, and that under the current state, it is difficult to see it reaching the level of denying legislative authority.

This is interpreted as a firm stance that he will effectively not use his veto against the bill in question.

In addition, he emphasized that separating investigation and indictment is the first step toward normalizing an abnormal criminal justice system, pointing out that certain groups within the prosecution have abused excessive and unchecked authority, repeatedly practicing separate-case investigations and exhaustive targeted investigations as routine.

[President Lee Jae-myung: This is an inevitable measure of justice to place all power agencies under the control of the public without exception, in order to more stably protect the lives of the citizens.]

President Lee stated that growing concerns over the police monopoly and expansion of investigative powers due to the abolition of prosecution investigation rights require thorough complementary measures as well.

(Camera: Jung Sang-bo, Ha Ryung | Video Editing: Oh Young-taek)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.