Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and Prosecution Service Acts Approved at Cabinet Meeting... Government to Conduct "Intensive Public Consultation"

Key Issues in the Criminal Procedure Act, Including Supplementary Investigation Authority

With the enactment bills for the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and Prosecution Service Act finalized at the Cabinet meeting, the government will conduct an "intensive public consultation" on key issues related to the Criminal Procedure Act.

Prime Minister Minseok Kim. Photo by Yongjun Cho

According to the government on March 3, the intensive public consultation is being pursued to gather a wide range of opinions from all sectors of society in order to minimize potential side effects during the process of improving the criminal justice system through the separation of investigation and prosecution functions.

The intensive public consultation will be conducted mainly by the Prosecution Reform Task Force between March and April. Methods such as public forums, advisory committees, and public opinion surveys will be utilized. The topics to be addressed include: measures to strengthen cooperation between the prosecution and police after the separation of investigation and prosecution; ways to control investigative and prosecutorial powers; the exceptional necessity of supplementary investigations; and methods to enhance the effectiveness of requests for supplementary investigations.

Previously, as part of the consultation process, the government held an advisory committee meeting on February 24 to discuss "prosecution reform as desired by crime victims." On March 11, a joint public forum will be held with the Korean Bar Association, and on March 16, a comprehensive forum led by the task force is scheduled, providing a platform for discussion on the related issues.

The task force plans to release the process and outcomes of discussions on major occasions going forward, aiming to promote substantive debate on the various issues by making them public.

Meanwhile, at the Cabinet meeting on this day, the government submitted and approved the enactment bills for the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency Act and the Prosecution Service Act, finalizing the government proposal. Since a considerable amount of time is expected to be required to properly prepare for the launch of the two new agencies, the government plans to do its utmost to ensure the bills pass the National Assembly as soon as possible. The government also stated that it will make thorough preparations for follow-up measures, including establishing subordinate legislation and addressing administrative matters such as the organization, personnel, and office buildings of the new agencies.

Prime Minister Minseok Kim stated, "After the revision of the Government Organization Act in October last year, we have spent about five months on social discussions and thorough coordination with the ruling party to prepare these bills, and we have faithfully reflected the contents of the National Assembly’s discussions as well. With the determination to complete prosecution reform solely from the public's perspective, we will also address the remaining issues, such as supplementary investigation, through sufficient deliberation and public consultation to come up with the best possible alternatives."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.