"Neutralizing Checks and Balances" vs. "The Final Piece of Prosecution Reform"

[Anchor]

The standoff between the ruling and opposition parties over the abolition of supplementary investigation powers remains intense. The People Power Party (PPP) has pushed back, arguing that it would eliminate even the minimum necessary checks and balances. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), while stating it will listen to further opinions from both inside and outside the party, maintains that this is the final piece of the puzzle for prosecution reform and is focusing on preparing supplementary measures to address the potential impact of the abolition.

Reporter Son Hyeong-an has the story.

[Reporter]

The People Power Party held a discussion today (July 14) on the necessity of maintaining the prosecution's supplementary investigation powers. The party emphasized that, as demonstrated in the Jang Yoon-ki case, it is difficult to rely on police investigations that depend solely on good intentions.

[Jung Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: If even the prosecution's supplementary investigation power is abolished, the minimum checks and balances to prevent shoddy police investigations and the abuse of investigative power could be neutralized.]

A victim of the so-called Busan roundhouse kick case, who attended the discussion, also testified that the perpetrator's sexual assault charges were uncovered through supplementary investigations.

[Kim Jin-ju (pseudonym) / Victim of the Busan roundhouse kick case: Having another agency verify the judgments made during the investigation stage should be a mandatory step, not an optional one.]

The PPP floor leadership announced that the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which they plan to propose this week, will include not only the maintenance of supplementary investigation powers but also provisions to delete or modify the police's authority to close investigations.

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The Democratic Party held a general meeting of lawmakers to discuss the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which centers on the complete abolition of supplementary investigation powers.

Floor Leader Han Byung-do emphasized the need for deliberation and debate, stating, "We are well aware of the concerns raised in some quarters," but placed weight on preparing supplementary measures to accompany the full abolition.

[Han Byung-do / Floor Leader of the Democratic Party: We must complete the final piece of the puzzle for prosecution reform through an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act that centers on the complete abolition of supplementary investigation powers.]

However, it is reported that several lawmakers raised opinions during the general meeting regarding the exceptional allowance of supplementary investigation powers.

[Lee Ju-hee / Floor Spokesperson of the Democratic Party: It seems there is currently no opinion within our party to fully retain the supplementary investigation powers.]

The Democratic Party stated that it will enhance the quality of the bill through a process of gathering opinions, including holding a policy general meeting next week with invited experts.

(Reported by Lee Seung-hwan and Shin Dong-hwan | Video by Jeon Min-gyu | Graphics by Lee Jong-jeong)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.