[Anchor]

An amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act that completely abolishes prosecutors' investigative powers has passed the Cabinet meeting. President Lee Jae-myung decided not to exercise his veto power, stating, "Although there is controversy, it is difficult to view it to the extent that it denies the National Assembly's legislative authority."

First, we have a report from reporter Kang Cheong-wan.

[Reporter]

The Cabinet meeting tabled the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which aims to abolish prosecutors' direct investigative powers and supplementary investigative powers.

President Lee Jae-myung noted that while there are many controversies and differing opinions, it does not reach the point of denying the legislative authority of the National Assembly.

[President Lee Jae-myung : It is difficult to view this bill as being in such a serious situation that it denies the National Assembly's legislative authority, such as being unconstitutional, incapable of execution, against the national interest, or infringing upon the executive branch's inherent authority.]

This draws a clear line against calls for a veto raised by the conservative opposition and some civil society groups after the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act passed the National Assembly on July 31 led by the pan-ruling parties.

[President Lee Jae-myung : Exercising the veto power cannot be done simply because opinions differ; it must be in accordance with the principle of the separation of powers...]

President Lee defined the abnormal system as prosecutors exercising concentrated powers such as investigation, indictment, and requests for arrest warrants over the past decades.

Regarding the police, who will take over the investigative powers, he added the following concern:

[President Lee Jae-myung : (The police's) authority has grown immensely, but have they borne, or can they bear, corresponding responsibilities? Having worked as a lawyer for a long time, I found it difficult to trust the police as well as the prosecutors.]

Citing the "Jang Yoon-ki case" as an example, President Lee repeatedly emphasized that there must be no unfair victims.

[President Lee Jae-myung : While the Jang Yoon-ki case is symbolized as a single case, how unfair must it be? For a public official, it is just one of dozens or hundreds of cases they handle, but for the parties involved, their lives and futures are at stake.]

President Lee stated that no reform is concluded with a single institutional change, adding that any insufficient or flawed aspects will be supplemented.

(Video Shooting: Jung Sang-bo, Ha Ryung)