Democratic Party Adopts 'Complete Prosecution Reform' as Party Policy... Criticism Follows from People Power Party and Justice Party

Democratic Party Unanimously Adopts 'Complete Prosecution Reform' Party Stance
People Power Party: "It Only Creates Confusion and Conflict"
Justice Party: "Regrettable Decision"

Yoon Ho-jung, Co-Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Policy Members' General Meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th and delivering an opening speech. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The Democratic Party of Korea unanimously adopted the so-called 'Geomsu Wanbak' (complete removal of prosecutorial investigative authority) bill, which centers on the separation of investigative powers from the prosecution, as the party's official stance. On the 12th, the People Power Party and the Justice Party expressed regret.

Park Hyungsoo, the floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, issued a statement that day warning, "The Democratic Party's 'Geomsu Wanbak,' which has lost reason, will become a 'self-inflicted trap.'"

He pointed out, "The Democratic Party has finally confirmed the promotion of the 'Geomsu Wanbak' bill as the party's official stance," adding, "The Democratic Party is pushing it through without any in-depth review or alternative proposals, attempting to change the criminal justice procedures that have been in place for 70 years overnight."

He continued, "If 'Geomsu Wanbak' was truly necessary, the Democratic Party should have pursued it last January instead of adjusting the police and prosecution investigative powers," and said, "The only difference between then and now is that the People Power Party won the presidential election."

Park, the floor spokesperson, criticized, "Ultimately, the forced passage of the 'Geomsu Wanbak' bill goes against the will of the people expressed in the presidential election and aims to create a 'bulletproof bill' to protect former President Moon Jae-in and Advisor Lee Jae-myung," adding, "Even the Justice Party opposes the promotion of the 'Geomsu Wanbak' bill, stating that they cannot agree with its timing, procedure, or content."

Furthermore, he directly stated, "The public will severely judge the Democratic Party's shameless promotion of the 'Geomsu Wanbak' bill, which is a shield law to cover up corruption."

Kim Hyungdong, the chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, also said in a statement that day, "The Democratic Party wrapped the forced passage of 'Geomsu Wanbak' as the 'spirit of the times for improving the basic rights of the people,' but to the public, it only looks like the Democratic Party's last desperate attempt to block the corruption of its members within the Moon Jae-in administration."

He added, "The Democratic Party's 'Geomsu Wanbak,' which abolishes all prosecutorial investigative powers first without proper alternatives and deliberated discussions, will only generate further confusion and conflict."

Yoon Ho-jung, Co-Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Policy Members' General Meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

The Justice Party also expressed regret over the adoption of 'Geomsu Wanbak' as the party's official stance. Jang Taesu, spokesperson for the Justice Party, said in a written briefing, "The Democratic Party has adopted the separation of prosecutorial investigative powers as the party's official stance and decided to promote related legislation," adding, "For the Justice Party, which requested that after reviewing the achievements and limitations of changes in the criminal justice system such as the adjustment of police and prosecution investigative powers and the launch of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, a plan be prepared to ensure democratic control of police and prosecution, protection of human rights, and safety from crime, this is a regrettable decision."

He continued, "There is also concern that the National Assembly, which should carefully consider the lives of citizens including self-employed people who have struggled due to abnormal price increases and the COVID-19 disaster even during the regime transition period, might descend into an animal parliament due to extreme confrontation."

He added, "Even if debates and discussions are fierce, I request all parties to maintain a calm and rational attitude at times like this so that citizens do not come to hate politics and the National Assembly."

Earlier, the Democratic Party had agreed to process the prosecutorial reform bill containing 'Geomsu Wanbak' in the April National Assembly session as the party's official stance.

The 'Geomsu Wanbak' bill under review by the Democratic Party aims to abolish in principle the provision in Article 196 of the Criminal Procedure Act that states, "When a prosecutor believes there is suspicion of a crime, they investigate the suspect, the facts of the crime, and evidence."

All provisos in Article 4 of the Prosecutors' Office Act, which specify the scope of prosecution investigation as the 'six major crimes' (corruption, economy, public officials, elections, defense industry, and major disasters), will also be deleted.

Meanwhile, the People Power Party plans to block the forced passage of the 'Geomsu Wanbak' legislation by employing methods such as filibusters (legitimate parliamentary obstruction through unlimited debate) if the Democratic Party pushes ahead.

To end a filibuster, two-thirds (180 seats) of the total members must agree. However, if the Justice Party does not cooperate with the Democratic Party, forcibly ending the filibuster will be difficult, making the forced passage of the 'Geomsu Wanbak' bill challenging.

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