Criminal Procedure Act Revision to Abolish Prosecutors' Supplementary Investigation Powers Submitted to Plenary Session; People Power Party Launches Filibuster

A revision to the Criminal Procedure Act aimed at completely abolishing prosecutors' direct investigation authority has been submitted to the plenary session of the National Assembly.

The National Assembly brought the revision to the Criminal Procedure Act, led by the Democratic Party of Korea, to the plenary session today (the 30th).

Immediately after the bill was tabled, the People Power Party filed for a filibuster, a legal obstruction of legislative proceedings through unlimited debate.

The bill is projected to be processed tomorrow afternoon (the 31st).

The revision pushed by the Democratic Party contains provisions to completely separate investigation from indictment and block prosecutors from conducting direct investigations.

It also abolishes prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers.

However, prosecutors may request judicial police officers to conduct supplementary investigations.

Upon receiving a request for supplementary investigation, the police must complete the investigation within one month and notify prosecutors of the results.

If necessary, the investigation period can be extended by up to one month.

All materials produced during the investigation process are required to be recorded in the Korea Information System for Criminal Justice Services (KICS).

The revision also includes measures to strengthen the protection of victims.

If the police decide not to forward a case, complainants, victims, and informants can file an objection.

They are also granted the right to inspect and copy case records necessary for filing an objection.

The revision newly adds cases where an indictment is filed based on serious illegal investigations as grounds for a dismissal of indictment ruling.

Cases where an indictment is filed in substantial excess of discretionary prosecution powers are also included as grounds for dismissal of indictment.

The People Power Party, which has opposed the complete abolition of prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers, held a condemnation rally at the National Assembly prior to the plenary session.

People Power Party Floor Leader Chung Jeom-shik criticized, "The dirty backdoor deal between President Lee Jae-myung, who only plots to eliminate trials, and the Democratic Party hardliners, who only think of retaliating against the prosecution, is driving state affairs to ruin."

Floor Leader Chung emphasized, "The supplementary investigation power is not the prosecutor's power."

"It is a means to protect victims and a tool to uncover the truth," he added.

He further stated, "If the abolition of supplementary investigation powers passes the plenary session, President Lee must exercise his veto power."

The Democratic Party plans to initiate procedures to terminate the filibuster 24 hours after it begins, in accordance with the National Assembly Act.

With the consent of at least three-fifths of registered lawmakers, the party intends to end the filibuster and put the bill to a vote tomorrow.

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