National Assembly Ends Unlimited Debate After One Day... Inspection Reform Bill Expected to Be Completed by Next Month's 3rd (Update)

Criminal Procedure Act Amendment: 4 Lawmakers from Both Parties Engage in 7-Hour Unlimited Debate
Prosecutors' Office Act Amendment Passed in Plenary Session

Democratic Party lawmaker An Min-seok is conducting an unlimited debate (filibuster) in favor of the "Geomsu Wanbak" (separation of prosecution's investigation and indictment rights) at the National Assembly plenary session on the 27th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Kwon Hyun-ji] The unlimited debate on the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which centers on the reduction of the prosecution's investigative authority at midnight on the 1st, has ended. The unlimited debate lasted for 7 hours with four lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties participating.

On that day, the plenary session tabled the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, a key pillar of the ruling Democratic Party's push for the 'Geomsu Wanbak' (complete removal of the prosecution's investigative authority). The People Power Party requested the unlimited debate. However, since the temporary session was shortened to just one day on the 30th, the unlimited debate also ended at midnight that day.

During the unlimited debate, the ruling and opposition parties clashed over the Democratic Party's prosecution reform objectives. Kim Hyung-dong, a People Power Party lawmaker who was the first to speak, expressed opposition. He criticized, "This is a rushed legislation to shield the senior advisor who has many crimes such as former President Moon Jae-in and the Daejang-dong preferential treatment suspicion after retirement." He continued his debate for about 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Choi Ki-sang, who spoke in favor, said in his 1 hour and 30 minutes of debate, "The separation of the prosecution's investigation and indictment authority will be a monumental event that allows our people to live in freer air."

Following him, Kim Mi-ae, a People Power Party lawmaker, criticized, "What I absolutely cannot understand is the last sentence," adding, "It is unacceptable and no one can explain why the complainant is excluded from filing an objection after receiving a non-prosecution decision from judicial police officers." Kim also claimed that People Power Party floor leader Kwon Seong-dong's agreement to Speaker Park Byeong-seok's mediation proposal was "made under duress." She said the agreement was reached to at least guarantee supplementary investigative authority to prevent the collapse of the criminal justice system.

Then, Lim Ho-seon, a Democratic Party lawmaker, raised an objection to the breakdown of the ruling and opposition parties' agreement during the unlimited debate. Lim said, "Power corrupts when monopolized," and "Mutual checks and balances are fundamental to firmly guarantee the people's freedom." However, Lim ended his remarks as the temporary session expired during his speech.

Earlier in the plenary session, the amendment to the Prosecutors' Office Act, which reduces the scope of the prosecution's direct investigative authority from the existing six major crimes to two major crimes including corruption and economic crimes, was passed. The bill was approved with 172 votes in favor, 3 against, and 2 abstentions among 177 lawmakers from the Democratic Party, Justice Party, and independents. People Power Party lawmakers strongly opposed and boycotted the vote.

This law had already undergone an unlimited debate during the temporary session on the 27th, so the voting procedure was immediately carried out.

Although the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act did not go to a vote during the unlimited debate that day, it is expected to pass as the vote will be held immediately after the plenary session convenes on the 3rd.

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