Democratic Party pushes 'Geomsu Wanbak'... People Power Party blocks "Second Public Prosecutor's Office"

Democratic Party Confirms Party Position at General Assembly
Kwon Seong-dong: "Investigation Gap Intentional"

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Yun Ho-jung, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced that the adjustment of prosecutorial investigation rights will be finalized on the 3rd of next month, signaling that the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties is expected to escalate to the extreme. On the afternoon of the 12th, the Democratic Party will discuss the timing of the so-called ‘Geomsu Wanbak (complete removal of prosecutorial investigation rights)’ at a party members' meeting, with a strong possibility of forcible passage within the current administration’s term. The People Power Party criticized that if a Serious Crime Investigation Agency (Jungdae Sumsa Cheong) with investigative authority is newly established, it would lead to the creation of a second High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Unit (Gongsucheo), and has started a public opinion campaign against it.

Park Hong-geun, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the party’s floor countermeasure meeting that day, "The goal of the prosecutorial reform promoted by the Democratic Party is not simply the adjustment of prosecutorial investigation rights," emphasizing, "Starting with the normalization of the prosecution through the adjustment of investigation rights, the ultimate goal is to complete prosecutorial reform and modernize power institutions where checks and balances operate." He added, "We will hold a party members' meeting today to gather the unanimous will of the people, party members, and supporters without omission," and stated, "We will definitely reach a conclusion and move forward without interruption, looking only to the people."

Within the party, there is consensus on separating the prosecution’s investigation and indictment rights, but there are differing opinions on the specific timing and direction. The bills proposed by the Democratic Party currently pending in the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, including the Act to Abolish the Prosecutors’ Office, the Act to Amend the Criminal Procedure Act, and the Act to Establish the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (Jungdae Sumsa Cheong), include provisions to grant investigation rights to the police and make the prosecution responsible only for indictments. They also include measures to create separate bodies to provide checks and balances. On KBS Radio that day, Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Byung-won explained, "Even if investigation and indictment rights are completely separated, there are various cases worldwide," and added, "Some propose operating a special investigation headquarters under the Ministry of Justice." Nevertheless, he urged the leadership’s decision, saying, "I think now is the time when we have no choice but to decide and must do so."

The People Power Party criticized that establishing the Serious Crime Investigation Agency would become a second High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Unit (Gongsucheo). Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the floor countermeasure meeting held that day, "Even if the Serious Crime Investigation Agency is created as some in the Democratic Party claim, it will only become a second Gongsucheo that has failed to produce any results for over a year since its launch," and pointed out, "The Democratic Party intentionally hoped for a gap in investigations into power-related corruption through Geomsu Wanbak."

He then requested that if problems arise with prosecutorial investigation rights, the ruling and opposition parties continue consultations. Previously, the National Assembly passed an adjustment plan limiting prosecutorial and police investigation rights to six major crimes where the prosecution can directly investigate: corruption, economic crimes, public officials, elections, defense projects, and large-scale disasters. Floor leader Kwon said, "If the Democratic Party finds it difficult to wait even for that, I once again propose seriously discussing the formation of a task force or special committee to improve the criminal justice system of the National Assembly."

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