Joo Guk, leader of the Joo Guk Innovation Party, criticized the government's bill on the establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA) and the Public Prosecution Agency on January 19, stating, "It only imitates the core of prosecution reform, which is the separation of indictment and investigation."
Joo Guk, leader of the Joo Guk Innovation Party, is speaking at the joint meeting of the Supreme Council and the Special Committee on the Alternative Legislation of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency Act and the Public Prosecution Service Act held at the National Assembly on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News
At the joint meeting of the Supreme Council, the General Assembly of Lawmakers, and the Special Committee on 'Going to the End' held that day, Leader Joo said, "The government's pre-announced legislative proposal has sown bad seeds that allow for the possibility of the prosecution being revived at any time."
He then proposed a revised bill for the SCIA and Public Prosecution Agency Act, which includes the following: the abolition of Article 196 of the Criminal Procedure Act that grants investigative authority to prosecutors, the abolition of the High Public Prosecution Agency, the reduction of the investigative scope of the SCIA, and the elimination of the dual structure of investigative judicial officers and professional investigators.
He added, "If the government does not accept this proposal, the Innovation Party will pursue legislation led by the National Assembly instead of the government bill," and urged a complete reorganization of the government's Prosecution Reform Task Force.
Seo Wangjin, floor leader of the party, addressed the Democratic Party of Korea, which is set to hold a public hearing on the SCIA and Public Prosecution Agency Act on January 20, saying, "We hope that the Innovation Party's alternative, aimed at achieving complete prosecution reform in line with the will of the people, will spark intense debate and decisive action within the Democratic Party."
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