'Reinspection Ban' Restarted... Bill Proposed and Choo Mi-ae Sparks Presidential Election Debate

Assemblyman Hwang Unha Proposes Amendment to Criminal Procedure Act
Park Kwangon of Lee Nakyeon Camp "Must Be Processed"

Members of the 'Cheoreomhoe' group, formed by Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, and Kim Nam-guk, member of the Democratic Party of Korea, held a press conference on the 7th at the National Assembly Communication Office to urge the transfer and investigation of the 'Yoon Seok-yeol Former Prosecutor General Judge Surveillance Case.' Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The Democratic Party of Korea is once again pushing for the so-called 'Geomsu Wanbak' (complete removal of the prosecution's investigative authority). A bill has been proposed to abolish even the prosecution's investigative authority over serious crimes left after the adjustment of investigative authority between the police and prosecution, and to transfer it to a separate agency. Former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae is promoting this as a key issue in the presidential primary race.

According to the National Assembly on the 13th, Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Un-ha proposed an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act the day before, which includes deleting provisions related to the prosecution's direct investigation. Lawmaker Hwang explained the background of the proposal, saying, "Excessive concentration of powerful authority in the prosecution has led to numerous cases of abuse of power and corruption scandals. The public's trust in the prosecution remains at a very low level."

The bill aims to completely abolish the prosecution's investigative authority over six major crimes (corruption, economy, public officials, elections, defense projects, and large-scale disasters). Reform group 'Chireomhoe' lawmakers, including Kim Yong-min, the Democratic Party's senior supreme council member, and Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, are co-sponsors. They have argued that a separate Serious Crime Investigation Agency should be established to handle these six major crimes. On the same day, lawmaker Hwang also proposed amendments to the Public Hearing Act and the National Assembly Act to add the head of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency as a candidate subject to confirmation hearings.

Last year, the Democratic Party's Special Committee on Prosecution Reform actively promoted 'Geomsu Wanbak' by proposing the abolition of the Prosecutors' Office Act and the establishment of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency. However, after losing the April 7 by-elections and with the newly appointed party leader Song Young-gil not reactivating the prosecution reform special committee, the issue had quieted down but has recently been reignited.

Prosecution reform is also becoming a key criterion in the Democratic Party's presidential primary race. Former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae is leading the charge, pressuring other candidates. At a TV debate on the 11th, she said, "There was the second trial of Professor Jeong Gyeong-sim's case, which was an attempt to derail the Moon Jae-in administration's prosecution reform through the prosecution's excessive indictment and investigation. It was a very painful day."

On the previous day, former Minister Chu posted on Facebook, "I proposed to immediately introduce prosecution reform bills (separating investigative and prosecutorial powers and establishing the Serious Crime Investigation Agency) and suggested passing them during this year's regular session of the National Assembly." She added, "Candidate Lee Jae-myung said he would do so on site yesterday, candidate Chung Sye-kyun said he is not a lawmaker but agreed to discuss it, candidate Kim Du-kwan is a longtime advocate of prosecution reform and I believe he will naturally agree. Candidate Lee Nak-yeon said he would consult with lawmakers, so I hope a decision will be made soon." She argued that since the Democratic Party holds a majority of seats, if the main presidential candidates agree, the bill could pass this year.

Park Kwang-on, head of the Lee Nak-yeon campaign headquarters, appeared on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' on the same day and said, "Geomsu Wanbak is a very important first step for the prosecution itself to become a prosecution that serves the people," adding, "Whether it happens within this year or not, it is right to ensure that this matter is handled."

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