Tensions are rising between the Democratic Party of Korea and the government over the direction of prosecution reform being pursued by the party. This friction stems from differing opinions regarding which ministry should oversee the newly established Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA) during the process of separating the prosecution's investigative and indictment powers, as well as over the abolition of the prosecution's supplementary investigative authority.
Within the Democratic Party, there have also been public criticisms directed at Justice Minister Jeong Seongho, who is the party's counterpart in the prosecution reform discussions.
On the 27th, Min Hyungbae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a briefing on prosecution reform at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
On the 27th, Min Hyungbae, who chairs the Democratic Party's special committee on prosecution reform, met with reporters at the National Assembly and responded to questions about Minister Jeong's position that the complete abolition of the prosecution's supplementary investigative authority should be reconsidered. Min stated, "The party leadership feels that the minister may have gone too far." He added, "There is no such content in the committee's proposal, and it was neither agreed upon nor discussed between the party and the government. It seems the justice minister was expressing a personal opinion."
Min also criticized Minister Jeong for expressing concerns about placing the SCIA under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, saying, "The party has not announced its position, so there are concerns about whether the minister is fulfilling his duties appropriately by making such comments." He further remarked, "It seems the minister is not aware of our committee's draft." In doing so, Min systematically refuted Minister Jeong's arguments by emphasizing the party leadership's stance.
Minister Jeong has consistently voiced concerns about the potential negative consequences of concentrating authority by placing the police, the National Investigation Headquarters, and the SCIA all under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. He has argued that all cases, including those the police have decided not to refer for prosecution, should be sent to the prosecution, and that a discussion is necessary regarding the complete abolition of the prosecution's supplementary investigative authority, rather than an outright removal.
In contrast, the prevailing opinion within the Democratic Party is that, in order to achieve a complete separation of investigative and indictment powers, the SCIA must be placed under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. The rationale is that if the SCIA is placed under the Ministry of Justice, it would essentially allow the existing prosecution office to maintain its influence.
The special committee plans to first prepare a draft of the reform proposal and continue discussions with the government. Afterward, the party intends to prioritize the passage of the amendment to the Government Organization Act, aimed at separating the prosecution's investigative and indictment powers, at the plenary session scheduled for the 25th of next month.
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