The Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly held a meeting of its Subcommittee No. 1 on July 10 and began reviewing bills, including an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act that centers on abolishing the prosecution's supplementary investigation powers.
During today's meeting, the subcommittee began a consolidated review of bills previously referred to the subcommittee—proposed by Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Yong-min, Rebuilding Korea Party lawmaker Park Eun-jung, and Rebuilding Korea Party lawmaker Cha Gyu-keun—as well as a proposal submitted yesterday by the Democratic Party's Criminal Procedure Act Amendment Task Force.
The ruling party's stance is to process the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act before the national convention scheduled for August 17.
Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-kyo, who chairs the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, met with reporters at the National Assembly today and said, "We will proceed with a sense of urgency to align with the launch of the Public Prosecution Service and the Major Crimes Investigation Agency on October 2, while ensuring the content is thoroughly fleshed out."
Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Seung-won, the subcommittee chair, also met with reporters after the meeting and stated, "Given the vast scope and procedural complexity, we have reviewed the framework, such as the removal of prosecutors' investigative powers." He added, "We will hold the subcommittee meeting twice early next week to review the bills as quickly as possible."
He further noted, "We are willing to work through the night, and the members have said they will postpone all other schedules to focus on reviewing these bills."
The People Power Party, which has been boycotting standing committee activities in protest of the Democratic Party unilaterally electing chairs for 11 standing and special committees, did not attend the subcommittee meeting today.
The People Power Party opposes the abolition of supplementary investigation powers.
The People Power Party plans to propose a bill that would either maintain the supplementary investigation powers or include equivalent provisions to counter the Democratic Party if it pushes through the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act.
(Photo: Yonhap News)