[Anchor]

A bill to abolish the prosecution's authority to conduct supplementary investigations has been introduced at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, led by the ruling party. However, concerns have been raised even within the ruling bloc regarding the need for oversight mechanisms for the police, following allegations of a cover-up in the Jang Yun-gi case.

Reporter Son Hyeong-an has the story.

[Reporter]

At the plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee held on the afternoon of the 8th, only lawmakers from the pan-ruling party were in attendance.

Allegations of a police cover-up regarding the Jang Yun-gi case, involving the murder of a high school girl, were brought to the table.

[Interview] Kim Nam-hee / Democratic Party Lawmaker: I was deeply shocked. Mr. Minister, the family of a criminal colluding with the police investigating the case to destroy and discard evidence...

[Interview] Jeong Seong-ho / Minister of Justice: It was a highly unusual and truly shocking case.

The Democratic Party has emphasized that while it intends to abolish the prosecution's supplementary investigation power, it will strengthen the effectiveness of the "right to request supplementary investigations" to prevent inadequate police investigations.

[Interview] Seo Young-kyo / Chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee (Democratic Party Lawmaker): In the process of police corruption and irregularities being exposed to the world, unfair victims were left even more aggrieved. We must discipline the police officers and replace the investigators involved.

Minister of Justice Jeong Seong-ho stated that a significant number of cases in which the prosecution requested supplementary investigations from the police are being delayed, and requested that the National Assembly establish effective means of control.

Regarding claims that the prosecution is using this case to maintain the supplementary investigation power, which faces imminent abolition, Minister Jeong replied that such claims are groundless.

[Interview] Jeong Seong-ho / Minister of Justice: There are 11 cases that were not handled properly at the police stage and required supplementary work at the prosecution stage. It is not just one or two cases.

The amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which focuses on the abolition of the supplementary investigation power and was proposed by some pan-ruling party lawmakers, was introduced to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee yesterday.

Lawmakers from the People Power Party, who are boycotting the National Assembly's standing committee schedule in protest of the Democratic Party's unilateral formation of the assembly, held a fierce protest in front of the meeting room, demanding an end to the abolition of the supplementary investigation power.

[Interview] Kwak Gyu-taek / People Power Party Lawmaker: Abolishing supplementary investigations will allow criminals to roam freely!

As the Democratic Party plans to propose an amendment containing the abolition of the supplementary investigation power within this week, political controversy is expected to intensify further.

(Video coverage: Lee Seung-hwan, Shin Dong-hwan | Video editing: Jang Hyun-gi)