Lee Nak-yeon Proposes "Six Ruling Party Presidential Candidates Agree to Pass Investigation-Prosecution Separation Law Within the Year"

"If Delayed Beyond This Year, Separation of Investigation and Prosecution May Become Difficult... Leadership Also Expected to Make a Decision"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Former leader Lee Nak-yeon proposed that all six presidential candidates of the Democratic Party of Korea agree to pass the bill separating the prosecution's investigation and indictment powers within this year and jointly recommend it to the party leadership.

On the evening of the 18th, former leader Lee said this during a 'Final Debate on Prosecution Reform' with Representative Kim Jong-min on the YouTube channel 'Lee Nak-yeon TV.' When Representative Kim asked, "How about the six Democratic Party candidates agreeing and having you, as the former party leader, take the initiative to pass the bill separating investigation and indictment powers during the regular National Assembly session?" Lee replied, "I hope so."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Former leader Lee emphasized, "I hope all our candidates agree to institutionally complete the separation of investigation and indictment powers within this year and proceed with recommending it to the leadership."

He continued, "I also hope the leadership shares the same view and makes a decision to pass the bill for the complete separation of investigation and indictment powers within the regular National Assembly session." He added, "If we hesitate and let this year pass, the separation of investigation and indictment powers may become unattainable. As the saying goes, 'Strike while the iron is hot,' I think it would be best to act now. I hope other candidates also unite their minds."

He further stated, "Power becomes undemocratic when concentrated. The same applies to investigation and indictment powers." He noted, "Even though the separation of investigation and indictment powers was a campaign pledge during President Moon Jae-in's administration, complete separation has not yet been achieved." He said, "There is a concern among conscientious prosecutors that 'if we fail this time, we won't be able to pursue further prosecution reform,' but rather 'if we fail this time, even the modest progress made in prosecution reform could regress.' I share that concern as well."

Meanwhile, on the same day, Representative Kim referred to an interview with Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung regarding prosecution reform, saying, "He said that separating investigation and indictment powers is premature. I was quite surprised." He criticized, "The Democratic Party has fought for prosecution reform despite numerous wounds, so I cannot understand why he said it is premature."

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