DP to Discuss Government Organization Act on "Abolition of Supreme Prosecutors' Office" at General Assembly

On the afternoon of September 3, the Democratic Party of Korea will hold a general assembly of its lawmakers to discuss a proposed amendment to the Government Organization Act that would irreversibly enshrine the principle of separating prosecutorial investigation and indictment powers.

Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

At the assembly, Policy Committee Chairperson Han Jeongae is scheduled to explain the details of the proposed amendment to the Government Organization Act, based on the party's special committee plan for normalizing the prosecution. Afterward, a free discussion among lawmakers will take place.

The main point of contention in the discussion is expected to be under which ministry the newly established Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA), which will be created following the abolition of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, should be placed.

The Democratic Party is reportedly strongly considering placing the SCIA under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. However, there are also opinions that the agency should be placed under the Ministry of Justice, as concentrating investigative authority within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety could have negative side effects. The establishment of a National Investigation Commission and the issue of supplementary investigation request authority are also points of debate.

After gathering opinions at the general assembly, the Democratic Party plans to hold a legislative public hearing on September 4, a legislative inquiry on September 5, and a high-level party-government consultation on September 7, after which the party will finalize its position and formally propose the amendment.

Lee Yongwoo, who serves as the secretary of the Democratic Party's special committee for normalizing the prosecution, appeared on MBC Radio's "Kwon Soonpyo's News High Kick" on the afternoon of the previous day and stated that meeting the target of passing the bill at the National Assembly plenary session on September 25 is "fully achievable according to the current plan."

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