The Democratic Party and the government have reaffirmed their goal of launching the Major Crimes Investigation Agency on October 2 and reviewed the necessary preparations.

Representative Lee Hae-sik, the ruling party's executive secretary for the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, met with reporters after the government-party meeting today and explained, "We are consulting with relevant ministries on the organizational structure, enforcement regulations, and appointment decrees, which are expected to be finalized through a Cabinet meeting around August." He added, "We will likely issue the job posting for appointments in mid-to-late August."

Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-joong met with reporters after the consultative meeting held at the National Assembly today and stated, "We are preparing the office building, various laws, and systems ahead of the launch of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency," adding that "the preparations (for the opening) are proceeding without any setbacks."

The government and the ruling party also exchanged views on measures to prevent the recurrence of investigative misconduct, which recently emerged during the police's handling of the 'Jang Yoon-ki case.'

Representative Lee said, "Police organizations, such as the National Police Commission and local autonomous police committees, are devising internal measures to prevent investigation-related misconduct," and added, "There was mention that the Ministry of the Interior and Safety is also preparing measures and will soon finalize and report them."

Regarding the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which focuses on abolishing the prosecution's authority for supplementary investigations, he stated, "The preparations for the launch of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency and the issue of supplementary investigation authority are not significantly linked," and noted, "There was no internal discussion regarding that (at the government-party meeting)."

The government and the ruling party also discussed ways to support local governments in issuing local currency vouchers.

Representative Lee conveyed, "The intention is to help local governments issue local currency vouchers without disruption, such as by organizing supplementary budgets," adding, "While we did not discuss specific methods, I believe it will likely be in the form of budget support."

(Photo: Yonhap News)