Legislation for Complete Prosecution Reform Passed, Next Step: Establishment of 'Jungsucheong'... Democratic Party Aims to 'Complete Prosecution Reform'

Passage of Criminal Procedure Act Amendment in Plenary Session on the Morning of the 3rd
Resolution to Form 'Sagwaetwi' for Discussion on Establishment of Jungsucheong Also Processed
Park Hong-geun: "Establishment of Jungsucheong Will Be Followed by Modernization Measures for Investigation Agencies Including Police"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] The amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which is part of the 'Geomsu Wanbak (Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Rights)' bill focusing on the separation of investigation and prosecution rights by the prosecution, passed the National Assembly plenary session on the morning of the 3rd, marking the completion of the Geomsu Wanbak legislation pushed by the Democratic Party. The previously passed amendment to the Prosecutors' Office Act and the Criminal Procedure Act amendment passed on the same day are expected to be promulgated at the last Cabinet meeting of the Moon Jae-in administration in the afternoon. The Democratic Party plans to establish the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (Jungsucheong) as a follow-up measure and aims to conclude prosecutorial reform.

Park Hong-geun, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, emphasized at the morning floor strategy meeting held before the plenary session, "We will definitely conclude the abolition of the prosecution's remaining direct investigation rights through the Special Committee on Judicial Reform (Sagwae Teukwi) by establishing the Korean-style FBI, tentatively named Jungsucheong." He added, "If the composition plan for the Sagwae Teukwi is approved today, we will take follow-up measures for the establishment of Jungsucheong and the advancement of investigative agencies including the police."

The second bill among the inspection ban laws, the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 3rd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The Democratic Party explained that Jungsucheong, called the 'Korean-style FBI,' will be established within one year and six months, and all remaining investigative powers of the prosecution will be transferred.

The mediation plan by the Speaker of the National Assembly, agreed upon by the ruling and opposition floor leaders on the 22nd of last month, stipulates that legislative measures for Jungsucheong must be completed within six months after the formation of the Sagwae Teukwi, and the prosecution's direct investigation rights will be abolished simultaneously with the launch of Jungsucheong within one year. The chairperson of the Sagwae Teukwi will be from the Democratic Party, and the committee will consist of 13 members including the chairperson (7 from the Democratic Party, 5 from the People Power Party, and 1 from a non-negotiating group). The committee's activity period is until December 31.

With both Geomsu Wanbak bills?the amendment to the Police Agency Act and the Criminal Procedure Act?passing the National Assembly, and the resolution to form the Sagwae Teukwi for discussions on establishing Jungsucheong also passed, the Democratic Party's prosecutorial reform, which they aim to complete within the Moon administration's term, has been concluded for now.

This comes just four days after passing the first Geomsu Wanbak bill, the amendment to the Prosecutors' Office Act.

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is greeting lawmakers after the plenary session was adjourned on the 3rd, following the passage of the second "Complete Prosecution Reform" bill, the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, and the formation plan of the National Assembly Special Committee on Judicial Reform, which deals with the establishment of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (Jungsucheong). Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

On the 30th of last month, the Democratic Party submitted the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act immediately after passing the Prosecutors' Office Act amendment, but the People Power Party attempted to block it with a filibuster (unlimited debate). However, the Democratic Party countered with a 'salami tactic' by passing a session resolution to change the 396th National Assembly (extraordinary session) to a one-day session on the 30th, causing the filibuster to automatically end with the session's conclusion.

The Criminal Procedure Act amendment was finally submitted as the first agenda item at the newly convened 397th National Assembly plenary session on the same day and was approved three minutes after the session was declared open, with 164 out of 174 members present voting in favor, 3 against, and 7 abstaining. Together with the previously passed amendment to the Police Agency Act, it is expected to be promulgated at the Cabinet meeting in the afternoon. President Moon's possibility of exercising a veto is considered low.

With the resolution to form the Sagwae Teukwi for discussing the establishment of Jungsucheong also passed at the plenary session on the same day, the Democratic Party is expected to accelerate plans for establishing Jungsucheong and advancing investigative agencies including the police in the future.