Heated Debate Between Ruling and Opposition Party Members in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee
People Power Party Criticizes Political Intent and Effectiveness of the Bill
[Asia Economy Reporters Junyi Park and Hyunji Kwon] Members of the ruling and opposition parties belonging to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye clashed over the 'Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Rights (Geomsu Wanbak)' bill. The People Power Party continued a focused offensive criticizing the effectiveness of the separation of investigation and prosecution rights, which the Democratic Party of Korea has announced it will push through.
On the 14th, members of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee held a plenary meeting and debated the bill adjusting prosecutorial investigation rights.
In questioning, Jeon Ju-hye of the People Power Party said, "What is the ultimate intention behind Geomsu Wanbak? There is a strong perception that the bill is being rushed at the end of the administration to overturn cases like the Daejang-dong Gate scandal, which the prosecution has been suppressing, and various power-related corruption cases that occurred during the Moon Jae-in administration."
In response, Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye said, "There is no specific bill submitted regarding the sharply contested separation of investigation and prosecution rights or its contents. From that perspective, if you ask for the Minister of Justice's stance on the separation of investigation and prosecution, it is currently a matter of legislative policy and legislative decision."
When Representative Jeon pointed out, "The party has adopted a stance, and the Democratic Party says they are currently drafting the bill," Minister Park replied, "Discussions at the National Assembly level are ongoing, as well as social discussions, and I believe they should continue in the future."
Park Hyung-soo of the People Power Party pointed out problems with the separation of investigation and prosecution rights. He said, "They talk as if separating investigation and prosecution is an absolute truth, but it is clearly not. Did the special prosecutor law passed today grant investigation and prosecution rights simultaneously?"
Minister Park responded, "My sincere belief is that there should never be any investigation gaps caused by legislative gaps under any circumstances. If that is a concern, I empathize with it."
People Power Party member Jo Su-jin also questioned, "Are there advanced countries that perfectly separate investigation and prosecution like egg whites and yolks?" Deputy Chief of the Court Administration Kim Hyung-do replied, "I don't think I have heard of a complete separation."
Representative Jo added, "It would be difficult to find any advanced country in the world that completely strips the prosecution of investigation rights or does not recognize them at all. So, the claim that the global trend is for prosecutors not to conduct investigations is fake news."
On the other hand, Democratic Party member Kim Jong-min countered, "Korean prosecutors are dual in nature. They are both the subject of investigation and have control over investigations." He then referred to statements by People Power Party figures such as floor leader Kwon Seong-dong, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, and lawmaker Joo Ho-young, expressing that they have supported the separation of investigation and prosecution rights.
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