"Taking Power from the Prosecution Is Not the Goal" vs "We Will Not Be Trampled Again"...Ruling Party Begins Full-Scale Prosecution Reform Discussions

Democratic Party Holds General Meeting on January 22 to Discuss Prosecution Reform
President Lee Voices Cautious Approach to Prosecution Reform at New Year's Press Conference
Prosecution Reform May Be Lowered in Priority Amid Sudden Merger Talks

The Democratic Party of Korea began internal discussions on January 22 regarding the Prosecution Office Act and the Serious Crimes Investigation Office Act (SCI Office Act). While hardliners advocating for reforms tantamount to dismantling the prosecution had previously gained momentum, the possibility of change was sensed following the President's New Year's press conference the previous day.

On this day, the Democratic Party held a policy caucus to initiate internal deliberations on prosecution reform. The party had previously convened a general assembly on January 15 to report on the issue, and then held another general assembly combined with a public hearing on January 20 to gather expert opinions. This marks the beginning of full-scale internal discussions.

The key point of interest is that, although the voices calling for strong prosecution reform had been dominant, there are now signs of a shift in direction.

Yonhap News Agency

During his New Year's press conference the previous day, President Lee Jaemyung stated, "The essence of prosecution reform is not about taking power away from the prosecution," adding, "The important task is to protect the human rights and rights of the people." President Lee also remarked, "If we take away all prosecutorial powers completely, who will be held accountable later?" and "While politicians can make sweeping claims, administration does not work that way." He thus maintained a cautious stance on prosecution reform.

Kim Youngjin, a key member of the pro-Lee faction within the Democratic Party, expressed agreement with President Lee's position on the exceptional necessity of supplementary investigative authority for the prosecution during an MBC radio interview. He said, "Many lawmakers within the party share the President's view." Kim also commented, "It's not about dismantling or abolishing the prosecution as if conducting a witch hunt," "We cannot burn down the whole house to catch a single flea," and "Do we disband the military just because someone participated in martial law?"-expressing a skeptical view toward reforms at the level of dismantling the prosecution.

However, calls for strong prosecution reform have not disappeared.

Choi Kisang, Vice Chair of the Democratic Party's Policy Committee, stated, "Those who abused state power and deprived citizens of their freedom with unchecked privilege, arrogance, and irresponsibility-no less than the military-are the so-called political prosecutors and prosecution dictatorship." He continued, "During the process of establishing the Prosecution Office and SCI Office, I was reminded that the complacency and looseness that persisted for 27 years under military rule must never be allowed again." He further argued, "As long as prosecutors who hold the power to request warrants and indict have investigative authority, there will inevitably be citizens whose dignity and freedom are taken away or who even lose their lives due to the combined powers of investigation and indictment." He pledged, "We must ensure that our people never again live in a world where they are trampled by the abuse of prosecutorial power."

Meanwhile, Cho Jeongsik, a Democratic Party lawmaker serving as the President's political affairs adviser, stated, "A decision will not be made immediately at today's general assembly; it may take one or two more rounds of discussion." He added, "We are in the process of narrowing differences by presenting and coordinating various opinions." Furthermore, due to the sudden proposal by Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheongrae to merge with the Rebuilding Korea Innovation Party, discussions on prosecution reform are likely to drop in priority within the party.