[Anchor]

The issue of abolishing supplementary investigation rights remains a hot topic in the National Assembly today, July 14. Within the Democratic Party, some lawmakers are raising concerns, leading to an ongoing debate, while the People Power Party is holding a forum to advocate for the maintenance of these rights, intensifying their opposition to the abolition.

Reporter Park Chan-beom has the story.

[Reporter]

With People Power Party members absent, lawmakers from the Democratic Party and other opposition parties held a subcommittee meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee yesterday. They are accelerating the review of the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which centers on the abolition of supplementary investigation rights, stating they plan to hold two or three meetings this week alone.

However, seemingly mindful of concerns regarding the abolition, they are also reviewing additional supplementary measures such as the 'digitization of investigation materials' and the 'investigation real-name system'.

[Kim Seung-won / Secretary of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee (Democratic Party): We are reviewing the entire criminal justice system to ensure it is the most efficient and fair for those involved in cases...]

Amidst this, Democratic Party lawmaker Hong Ki-won proposed a bill today that would allow for exceptions to the supplementary investigation rights for crimes such as sex offenses and voice phishing.

Eleven Democratic Party lawmakers have joined as co-sponsors of the bill.

[Hong Ki-won / Democratic Party Lawmaker: If a total ban on supplementary investigations results in even one victim suffering an injustice, can we truly call that a successful reform?]

The Democratic Party is set to hold a general meeting of lawmakers this afternoon to gather internal opinions on the supplementary investigation rights.

The People Power Party has countered the Democratic Party's push for amendments by announcing that it will propose its own amendment as a party platform to maintain the supplementary investigation rights.

They have also decided to adopt a plan to delay the implementation of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency Act and the Public Prosecution Service Act, which are scheduled to take effect in October of this year, by one year.

The People Power Party also held a forum to discuss the necessity of maintaining supplementary investigation rights.

[Jang Dong-hyuk / People Power Party Lawmaker: This is not a gift that can be easily handed out for the sake of the (Democratic Party's) national convention or to appease a hardline support base.]

However, there are divided opinions among People Power Party lawmakers regarding the proposal to revive the 'all-case referral system', which would send all cases to the prosecution, due to concerns that it might give the impression of opposing prosecution reform.

(Video reporting: Lee Seung-hwan, Shin Dong-hwan | Video editing: Park Sun-soo)