Mediation Proposal 'Separation of Prosecution Investigation and Indictment'... Ruling and Opposition Parties Discuss Acceptance at Party Meetings

Park Byeong-seok, Speaker of the National Assembly, Presents Final Mediation Proposal on 'Geomsubanbak' Containing 8 Clauses

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Park Joon-ee] On the 22nd, National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok presented a final mediation proposal containing eight provisions related to the so-called ‘Geomsu Wanbak (Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Rights)’ bill being promoted by the Democratic Party of Korea. Both parties plan to hold party caucuses in the morning to decide whether to accept the Speaker’s final mediation proposal.

Speaker of the National Assembly Park Byeong-seok is receiving a report from a National Assembly official just before announcing his position on prosecution reform in the Speaker's office on the 22nd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The mediation proposal disclosed by Speaker Park on the day includes ▲separation of the prosecution’s direct investigation rights and prosecution rights ▲abolition of the prosecution’s direct investigation ▲reduction of the total volume of prosecution direct investigations by downsizing six special investigation divisions to three ▲prohibition of investigations that deviate from the unity and identity of crimes in referred cases ▲formation of a Judicial Reform Special Committee with the authority to review bills, and overall discussion of the judicial system including the tentative establishment of a Serious Crime Investigation Agency ▲adjustment of investigative agency powers following the establishment of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency ▲crimes committed by officials of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to be under the prosecution’s jurisdiction ▲processing of the prosecution reform bill within April ▲enforcement of the amendment to the Prosecutors’ Office Act and the Criminal Procedure Act four months after promulgation.

Speaker Park explained, “Today, I delivered the final mediation proposal regarding the prosecution reform bill to the floor leaders of both parties,” adding, “The final proposal was presented as eight provisions, synthesizing the opinions of the floor leaders of both parties, former National Assembly Speakers, responsible government officials, and experts.” He continued, “It includes issues such as direct investigation rights and various other problems, as well as matters concerning the overall judicial system,” and said, “The floor leaders instructed that the contents be disclosed at the party caucuses.” He further stated, “There are points in the mediation proposal that the parties do not readily agree on,” and explained, “This inevitably becomes a proposal that no single party can be fully satisfied with.” He urged, “There are no more cards left,” and strongly called for “the acceptance of the Speaker’s mediation proposal at today’s party caucuses of both parties.”

Since Speaker Park delivered the mediation proposal to both parties, the final decision on the Geomsu Wanbak legislation rests with the ruling and opposition parties. On the day, the Democratic Party and the People Power Party each held party caucuses at the National Assembly in the morning to discuss the policy on the Geomsu Wanbak bill. The direction of the Geomsu Wanbak is expected to be determined according to the results of the party caucuses.

Before the caucus, Democratic Party floor leader Park Hong-geun told reporters, in response to a question about whether the fundamental principles were upheld in the Speaker’s mediation proposal, “From the Democratic Party’s standpoint, we have consistently said that the principle of separating investigation rights and prosecution rights must be upheld.” He added, “Secondly, we have said that a Korean-style FBI should be established to clearly strengthen the national capacity to respond to anti-corruption crimes,” emphasizing that such content should also be included in the mediation proposal. He also said, “One of the fundamental principles is that the bill should be processed in the April National Assembly session, and we have consistently stated that this part should be reflected,” and added, “Whether that judgment has been properly reflected will be decided by our (Democratic Party) members.”

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