Over 9,400 Opinions Submitted... Ministry of Justice Pushes Ahead with 'Investigation Authority Adjustment Enforcement Decree' Amid Controversy

Growing Calls for Revisions Inside and Outside Police
Participation Solidarity: "Not a Ministry of Justice Unilateral Matter, Procedures Must Be Careful"
Frontline Police Officers Return Handcuffs and Post Banners

Members of the Korea Public Officials Labor Union Federation (Gongnochoeng) and the National Public Officials Labor Union held a press conference on the 2nd in front of the Government Gwacheon Building, urging the revision of the draft presidential decree on the Criminal Procedure Act and the Prosecutor's Office Act.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] With the legislative notice period for the revision of the Enforcement Decree on the Adjustment of Investigation Authority between the Prosecutors and Police coming to an end, only the procedures of the Vice Ministerial Meeting, Cabinet Meeting approval, and presidential sanction remain. Despite widespread opposition from various sectors including the police, academia, and civic groups, it is highly likely that the original draft will be processed as is. The police plan to continue demanding 'reasonable amendments' until the very end.

According to the National Police Agency on the 20th, during the 40-day legislative notice period from the 7th of last month to the 16th of this month for the revision of the Enforcement Decrees of the Criminal Procedure Act and the Prosecutors' Office Act, a total of 9,482 opinions were submitted. Major issues pointed out included the provision that the 'Investigation Guidelines,' which apply to both police officers and prosecutors, are to be solely managed by the Ministry of Justice, and the expansion of the scope of investigation initiation by prosecutors, which runs counter to the purpose of 'prosecutorial reform.'

During this process, Kim Bu-gyeom, former Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and a party to the government agreement on the adjustment of investigation authority, raised concerns. Meanwhile, strong opposition continued within the police, including relay protests urging the revision of the enforcement decree and handcuff return performances. Sixty police stations nationwide have increased the level of criticism by posting banners or issuing statements.

However, the Ministry of Justice is reportedly pushing to submit the original draft to the Vice Ministerial Meeting on the 24th of this month while maintaining the legislative notice draft. It is difficult to understand the decision to proceed forcefully without official and public review and persuasive response procedures despite diverse social opinions. Even the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy criticized, saying, "The enforcement decree related to the adjustment of investigation authority is not a matter for the Ministry of Justice to legislate unilaterally," and "Criticism has been raised in many places that the content itself does not sufficiently align with the purpose of prosecutorial reform or the agreement on the adjustment of investigation authority." They further urged, "Even after the legislative notice, a public opinion gathering and discussion process should be conducted carefully to proceed with the related procedures."

The police plan to continue their demands for amendments until the submission to the Vice Ministerial Meeting. A National Police Agency official emphasized, "If the reform of investigation authority, which is the major premise of police reform, becomes meaningless, there are concerns about the loss of reform momentum such as the autonomous police system and prolonged organizational confusion," adding, "Rather than a hasty submission to the Vice Ministerial Meeting, 'reasonable amendments' to the legislative notice draft are necessary through reviewing various opinions and holding public hearings."

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