Kim Yongmin: "Prosecution Reform Progressing for September Passage... Task Force Proposal Finalized, Awaiting Party Consensus"

Proposal Finalized by Task Force, Accelerating Party Initiative
Opposes Formation of Special Judicial Reform Committee by Opposition
Also Mentions Need for Establishing a National Investigation Committee

Kim Yongmin, a member of the National Assembly and the Democratic Party’s secretary on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, stated that the party’s task force has already finalized a proposal regarding prosecution reform and that efforts will be accelerated to establish it as the party’s official stance. While he said that processing the reform within August is "possible," he appeared to focus more on ensuring its passage during the regular National Assembly session in September.

On August 1, after a press conference on prosecution reform at the National Assembly's communication center, Kim told reporters, "Within the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, I believe it is certainly possible to process prosecution reform before Chuseok," adding, "We are steadily proceeding with a schedule to have it passed in the plenary session by September." Regarding internal party discussions, he said, "We have started the process of establishing the party’s official stance, and the prosecution reform task force is in operation," and "the task force has already finalized its proposal."

He further explained, "With the finalized proposal, we are gathering various opinions, and once the party’s official stance is confirmed, I believe we can quickly submit it as a party initiative." Regarding some within the party insisting on processing it within August, he said, "Physically, it is possible, but there are various variables and difficulties," adding, "I cannot guarantee it, but the Legislation and Judiciary Committee’s schedule is certainly feasible."

Kim expressed opposition to the formation of a special judicial reform committee, as advocated by opposition parties. He said, "Discussion of a special judicial reform committee is unnecessary," and "a significant portion of the discussion has already progressed within the Legislation and Judiciary Committee." He continued, "We plan to hold meetings twice a week in the first subcommittee of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee for swift and in-depth review." Regarding the opposition’s call for a special committee, he said, "Forming a separate committee to discuss prosecution reform would only serve to delay the reform," adding, "Sufficient opinions are already being presented within the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and so far, I have not seen any members who oppose the separation of investigation and prosecution."

Regarding the establishment of a National Investigation Committee, he said, "I believe it is necessary to adjust the various scopes of investigative authority because investigative agencies need to be more specialized."