[Exclusive] Democratic Party's 'Prosecutorial Reform Completion' Turning Point... Leadership to Meet with Prosecution Reform Special Committee

The Bill to Establish the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, Debate Over Speed Adjustment

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea is expected to receive a report on the activities of the ‘Prosecutorial Reform Special Committee’ as early as this week and discuss the future direction and pace of reform. It will likely be decided whether to pass the bill centered on the establishment of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency within the originally planned first half of this year or to allow more time.

Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil and floor leader Yoon Ho-jung have described the reform as a ‘rear wheel,’ suggesting a pace adjustment, but reformists are pressuring the leadership, arguing that livelihood issues and reform cannot be separated. Following discussions on easing real estate tax policies, the issue of prosecutorial reform has also emerged as a source of conflict between moderates and reformists within the party.

Kim Yong-min, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party and a member of the Prosecutorial Reform Special Committee, told Asia Economy on the 18th, "The party leadership has decided to hold a procedure soon to receive a report on the activities of the Prosecutorial Reform Special Committee," adding, "The specific schedule has not been set yet, but we are discussing doing it as soon as possible within this week." Since Yoon Ho-jung, who served as the committee chair, became the floor leader, the report is expected to be delivered by Park Joo-min, who has been appointed as the new ruling party secretary of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. He is also leading the task force (TF) within the committee on separating investigation and prosecution by the prosecution.

The special committee has drafted a bill to completely abolish the prosecution’s investigative authority over six major crimes (corruption, economic crimes, public officials, elections, defense projects, and large-scale disasters) and establish the Serious Crime Investigation Agency to take over these responsibilities. Committee member Hwang Un-ha personally proposed related legislation as early as February.

Kim said, "The Prosecutorial Reform Special Committee is no different from the Real Estate Special Committee, so it can be reactivated immediately, but it has been delayed," emphasizing, "Discussions within the committee have been completed, and the bill has already been drafted. Naturally, the committee should be reactivated and work toward passing the bill next month as originally promised."

The new leadership of the Democratic Party is taking the position that more time is needed to discuss prosecutorial reform. This contrasts with the speed campaign led by Leader Song, who immediately replaced Real Estate Special Committee Chair Jin Sun-mi with Kim Jin-pyo after his election on the 2nd and held the first meeting on the 11th, deciding to produce results within this month. As a kind of compromise, Committee member Hwang has also proposed a plan to allow a generous grace period of about three years after the passage of the bill establishing the Serious Crime Investigation Agency before its implementation.

Regarding this, Leader Song said at a meeting with the Blue House on the 14th, "We will closely consult with the Blue House later on how to adjust the pace regarding the current issues of separating investigative and prosecutorial powers." The meeting between the Prosecutorial Reform Special Committee members and the party leadership is expected to be a turning point that will determine the direction of the pace adjustment debate within the party.