[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 3rd, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon reportedly raised concerns about the weakening of investigative power regarding the 'Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Rights (Geomsu Wanbak) Law' promulgated by President Moon Jae-in through a Cabinet meeting. In response, President Moon evaluated it as "in line with historical and contemporary missions."
The Blue House stated that regarding the promulgation of the partial amendments to the Prosecutors' Office Act and the Criminal Procedure Act, which were approved at the Cabinet meeting that day, Mayor Oh expressed concerns about investigation delays, weakening of investigative power, protection of socially vulnerable groups, and procedural fairness.
On the other hand, Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye said that the allocation of investigative rights is a legislative policy issue, that contrary to some claims, it is not a complete removal of prosecutorial investigative rights, and that it does not infringe on the deliberation and resolution rights in light of the Constitutional Court's rulings.
Minister of the Interior and Safety Jeon Hae-cheol stated that there are considerable harms caused by direct and separate investigations by the prosecution, and that both parties signed an agreement on the Speaker of the National Assembly's mediation plan, which was also ratified at the party caucus meeting; he questioned how the legislature could be trusted if some raise issues and then reverse their stance.
President Moon said, "Reform of power institutions is a major mission of the Candlelight Government and the aspiration of the people," adding, "The Moon Jae-in administration has promoted institutional reforms based on the principles of checks and balances among institutions to ensure that power institutions are not politically exploited and can fulfill their original roles under democratic control."
He also mentioned that the newly promulgated Geomsu Wanbak Law maintains the prosecution's supplementary investigative authority necessary to determine whether to request warrants or initiate and maintain prosecutions as before, and temporarily maintains the prosecution's investigative authority regarding the upcoming June local elections.
President Moon stated, "The adjustment of investigative rights between the police and prosecution and the prosecution reform with such content is a policy direction that corresponds to historical and contemporary missions," and urged, "Relevant ministries should ensure that the reform intent is properly realized during the legislative review process, including the establishment of the Serious Crime Investigation Office through the special judicial reform committee between the ruling and opposition parties, by preparing institutional grounds such as subordinate statutes in the future."
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