Han Byung-doo, acting leader and floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, stated that the party will "definitely process the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act during this week's plenary session."

During a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly today (the 27th), Acting Leader Han emphasized, "The Democratic Party has decided the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, whose core is the complete separation of investigation and prosecution, as a party platform during a general meeting of lawmakers."

He explained, "For the past 80 years, the prosecution, wielding both investigative and prosecutorial powers in both hands, has exercised omnipotent power," adding, "The Democratic Party's single principle is that prosecuting prosecutors do not investigate."

Directing his remarks toward the People Power Party, he criticized, "They are even employing the absurd logic that the people's lives and safety can only be protected by leaving investigative powers with the prosecution, thereby stirring up public anxiety," and noted, "This is nothing more and nothing less than irresponsible and false instigation."

He added, "It is none other than the People Power Party that has continued a parliamentary boycott for nearly two months, pushing people's livelihoods to the back burner and refusing to participate in discussions on the Criminal Procedure Act," urging, "I hope the People Power Party realizes that the act of calculating partisan interests while holding the nation's future and people's livelihoods hostage is precisely an act of treason."

Acting Leader Han also stated, "We will rationally overhaul the National Assembly Act so that filibusters (legal obstruction of legislative proceedings through unlimited debate) and fast-track procedures operate according to their original intent."

He pointed out, "Since the opening of the 22nd National Assembly, the filibusters abused by the People Power Party alone number a staggering 32 times, amounting to a total of 750 hours," and noted, "With it currently taking a maximum of 330 days—including 180 days in standing committees, 90 days in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and 60 days for submission to a plenary session—it faces criticism that it is not a fast-track, but a slow-track."

(Photo: Yonhap News)