[Anchor]

Here at the National Assembly, the People Power Party is staging an unlimited debate, or filibuster, in strong opposition to the Criminal Procedure Act amendment submitted under the leadership of the Democratic Party. However, given that the pan-ruling camp holds an absolute majority of seats, the bill is expected to pass the National Assembly as early as tomorrow, July 31.

First, reporter Son Hyeong-an has the details.

[Reporter]

The Criminal Procedure Act amendment, which the Democratic Party describes as the "final period on prosecution reform," was submitted to the National Assembly plenary session led by the pan-ruling camp.

Under the revised Criminal Procedure Act, Article 196 of the current act, which stipulates prosecutors' direct investigation powers, has been completely deleted. Furthermore, prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers have been abolished, leaving only the authority to request supplementary investigations.

This marks the first comprehensive overhaul of the criminal justice system in 72 years.

The Democratic Party praised the revision, stating that the Criminal Procedure Act is putting on a new garment aimed at enhancing public rights and interests and guaranteeing human rights.

[Interview / Kim Seung-won / Democratic Party Representative : This is content intended to strengthen the protection of the public's human rights and thereby expand the procedural rights of crime victims as well.]

The People Power Party raised its voice, arguing that if prosecutors had lacked supplementary investigation powers, the truth behind the "Jang Yoon-ki incident" would never have come to light, and demanded that President Lee Jae-myung exercise his veto power.

Consequently, the People Power Party entered into a filibuster to block the bill, starting with Joo Ho-young, a six-term lawmaker and the party's most senior member.

[Interview / Joo Ho-young / People Power Party Representative : Ordinary citizens scammed, vulnerable individuals assaulted, abused children, and youths who lost their deposit money will have to bear the full brunt of the damage.]

This filibuster is expected to continue with alternating speeches in favor by Democratic Party lawmakers and speeches in opposition by People Power Party lawmakers.

Although the People Power Party is raising its voice that the complete stripping of prosecutorial authority will intensify the suffering of crime victims, 24 hours after entering the filibuster, the pan-ruling camp—holding a majority of seats—can forcibly terminate it through a vote. Therefore, the Criminal Procedure Act amendment is scheduled to pass the National Assembly plenary session around 4:00 PM.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
(Reported by Son Hyeong-an | Video by Lee Seung-hwan and Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing by Nam Il)