The non-profit lawyers' group "Lawyers for Good Laws" criticized the Democratic Party of Korea's adoption of the complete abolition of prosecutors' supplementary investigation rights as a party platform today (July 24), calling it a "dangerous idea that puts political motives ahead of public rights and interests."

In a statement issued today, the group pointed out that "if supplementary investigation rights are abolished, the rights of crime victims and the defense rights of citizens will be severely infringed, and investigative powers will be excessively concentrated in the police, causing judicial control and checks-and-balances functions to collapse."

They also stated that discovering substantive truth would not only become difficult, but investigative agencies would increasingly evade responsibility.

The group argued, "Since the adjustment of investigative powers between prosecutors and police in 2021, investigation completeness has declined, case processing has been delayed, and accountability for shoddy investigations has become even more ambiguous," adding that "depriving them of even supplementary investigation rights in this situation will further set back the protection of citizens' basic rights."

Furthermore, they stated, "Reform for political slogans is not reform. The damage ultimately falls on wronged crime victims and the public," and strongly urged, "We strongly urge that the essence of criminal justice—namely human rights and victim protection—be set right first, rather than pursuing the slogan of prosecution reform."

(Photo: Provided by Lawyers for Good Laws, Yonhap News)