[Exclusive] Ruling Party Leadership Moves to Maintain Unity on Prosecution, Serious Crimes Investigation Office Bills... Strengthening High-Level Party-Government Coordination

High-Level Party-Government Council to Discuss Prosecutorial Reform on March 8
Focus on Preventing Recurrence of Internal Conflict Seen in Judicial Distortion Bill

The leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea has decided to strengthen discussions at the high-level party-government council in order to prevent a recurrence of internal conflict ahead of handling the legislation to establish the Serious Crimes Investigation Office and the Prosecution Office—bills that are follow-up measures to prosecutorial reform. As some members within the party are openly objecting to the government’s proposal, this move is intended to unify the party and government before internal disputes escalate. This effort by the party leadership to “maintain internal order” reflects their determination not to repeat the situation that unfolded recently regarding the enactment of the crime of judicial distortion.

According to The Asia Business Daily’s coverage on March 5, the Democratic Party leadership plans to discuss the prosecutorial reform bills as one of the main agenda items at the upcoming high-level party-government council scheduled for March 8.

Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Policy Lawmaker General Meeting held at the National Assembly on February 5, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

As some ruling party members of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee showed signs of wanting to revise the prosecutorial reform bills again, the party leadership has stepped in to coordinate these efforts directly. Jeong Cheong-rae, party leader, and Han Byungdo, floor leader, among other key members, are reportedly of the view that the party should accept the government’s revised proposal. They have stated, “The Presidential Office has already made significant concessions, and the Democratic Party established its position as party policy during the general assembly. If we call for further negotiations, how would the government perceive it?” They added, “Let’s finalize our stance between the party and government, and persuade party members accordingly.”

Given that tensions had previously surfaced between the Policy Committee and Legislation and Judiciary Committee members of the Democratic Party over potential constitutional issues during deliberations on the crime of judicial distortion (Criminal Act amendment), the leadership now appears intent on holding close preemptive discussions with the government. The government, in response to party feedback on the establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Office and the Prosecution Office, reduced the scope of the Serious Crimes Investigation Office’s jurisdiction from nine types of crimes specified in the original bill to six—excluding crimes involving public officials, elections, and major disasters. The previously dual-track personnel system was also unified into a single investigator grade, and the revised plan was re-announced for legislative review. Subsequently, at a general assembly meeting on February 22, the Democratic Party officially adopted the government’s revised proposal as party policy.

At the time, Party Leader Jeong stated, “If I were a rank-and-file member, I, too, might have expressed dissatisfaction with the bill. However, it is more important that the prosecutorial reform law, which is symbolic of the Lee Jaemyung administration’s reform efforts, is launched on time,” adding, “This bill is not only a party initiative, but also a legislative proposal from the government. If anyone attacks this bill, the party must defend it.” He also acknowledged, “I am sorry that this bill cannot satisfy every member,” but urged, “I hope members do not voice their discontent outside. Let’s unite as one team and support the government.”

Nevertheless, some lawmakers continue to express concerns about the government’s proposal. Kim Yongmin, the ruling party’s secretary on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, held a policy meeting the previous day and pointed out, “There are contradictions in the government’s plan. Prosecutors may be able to secure investigative authority through indirect means. There appear to be elements suggesting intentions for direct investigation.”

The Legislation and Judiciary Committee plans to hold a public hearing at the subcommittee level next week regarding the government’s proposal. Assemblyman Kim stated, “After the government’s legislative notice, I discussed the matter with committee members and relayed the contents to the party and floor leadership,” adding, “I believe we should begin the subcommittee’s review based on the results of the public hearing and subsequent communications with the party and floor leadership.”

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