Bar Association: "Geomsu Wanbak Bill Risks Granting Immunity to Powerful Politicians and Public Officials"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Korean Bar Association (KBA) expressed concerns regarding the partial amendment to the Prosecutors' Office Act passed by the National Assembly plenary session, stating, "There are no provisions to supplement investigative capabilities for general civil crime cases, and it significantly weakens the state's investigative capabilities for large-scale power-related corruption cases, potentially granting impunity to powerful politicians and public officials."

On the 2nd, the KBA issued a statement saying, "We deeply regret the hasty passage of the Prosecutors' Office Act amendment with a misguided direction under the name of prosecutorial advancement and the submission of the Criminal Procedure Act amendment to the plenary session."

In particular, the KBA noted, "The four crime groups?public officials, elections, defense projects, and large-scale disasters?that were removed from the bill mostly require highly concentrated investigative capabilities and legal expertise to respond effectively," adding, "Without appropriate alternatives, it primarily neutralizes the prosecutorial investigative capabilities accumulated over more than half a century."

They continued, "Restrictions on prosecutorial investigations into public official crimes and election crimes will become a pardon for corrupt public officials and powerful politicians," pointing out, "A significant portion of election crimes, which must be prosecuted within the short six-month statute of limitations, will be buried, and future elections may be stained with various corruptions."

Regarding corruption and economic crimes, they stated, "Although there is a practical and public interest need to conduct joint investigations into large-scale economic crime cases and power-related corruption cases, investigations will inevitably be halted if objections arise citing restrictions on the scope of investigation."

They further predicted, "The provision requiring quarterly reports on the status of corruption and economic crime investigations to the National Assembly may lead to excessive legislative interference in investigations and improper exertion of influence."

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