SCIA Likely to Be Placed Under Interior Ministry
People Power Party Strongly Opposes
The Democratic Party of Korea and the government have entered a phase of reconciling differences regarding the legislative push for prosecutorial reform, considered the most significant event of the September regular session of the National Assembly. The atmosphere shifted recently as Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho and some Democratic Party lawmakers reached a consensus to place the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA) under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
On September 1, Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheongrae reiterated the need for swift reform legislation at the party’s Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, stating, "If we miss the timing for reform, the forces of reaction will bring about even greater regression, and the public will bear the consequences." The party and the government had previously agreed to dismantle the Prosecutors’ Office and separate investigation (SCIA) and prosecution (Prosecution Office) functions. However, a conflict emerged between Minister Jung and the Democratic Party over whether the SCIA should be placed under the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
However, after President Lee Jaemyung, concerned about waning momentum for prosecutorial reform, instructed a public debate on the issue during a Cabinet meeting on August 29, the party, government, and presidential office moved quickly to defuse tensions. On August 31, Prime Minister Kim Minseok held a meeting at the official residence with Minister Jung, Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojung, and Minister for Government Policy Coordination Yoon Changryul. On the same day, party leader Jeong also posted a message on social media dismissing speculation about discord between the party and the government.
Within the ruling bloc, there is also a growing sense of unity to place the SCIA under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and to strengthen solidarity for the passage of the bill. Democratic Party lawmaker Park Jiweon stated on SBS Radio that day, "As far as I know, the coordination between Prime Minister Kim, Minister Jung, and Minister Yoon concluded yesterday, and it has been decided that the SCIA will be placed under the Minister of the Interior and Safety. Therefore, there are no issues."
The People Power Party has launched a strong campaign by making the bold move of appointing five-term lawmaker Na Kyungwon as the secretary of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, which handles prosecutorial reform and the special prosecutor bill. Party leader Jang Donghyuk reaffirmed his commitment to the fight at the Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, saying, "The best course of action is for all 107 members to unite and fight as one." The People Power Party plans to respond to the Democratic Party’s push for prosecutorial reform with measures such as boycotting standing committee meetings or launching public opinion campaigns.
In particular, the party is prepared to engage in fierce confrontation over special prosecutor investigations targeting the People Power Party. Immediate flashpoints are expected over the resumption of the special prosecutor Kim Keonhee team’s search and seizure of the party, the vote on the arrest motion for lawmaker Kwon Seongdong, and the tabling of the Special Act on Insurrection at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Floor leader Song Eonseok criticized, "Even though Representative Kwon has declared he will forgo his parliamentary immunity from arrest, National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonsik and the Democratic Party are preparing a petty, politically retaliatory schedule to ensure the arrest motion is handled on September 10, the day of the policy speech by the heads of negotiating groups."
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