'Geomsu Wanbak Law' Passes Committee... People Power Party Opposes "Complete Removal of Supplementary Investigation Rights"

Rep. Yoo Sang-beom, the whip of the People Power Party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, leaving after the subcommittee meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 26th. (Image source=Yonhap News)

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[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] On the 26th, the People Power Party opposed the so-called 'Geomsu Wanbak' (complete removal of prosecutorial investigation rights) bill passing through the subcommittee of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, stating, "The passed bill thoroughly undermines the spirit of the agreement."

Yoo Sang-beom, the People Power Party's floor spokesperson in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, claimed in front of the meeting room after the subcommittee's resolution, "While the prosecutor's direct investigation rights have been reduced, the supplementary investigation rights have been completely removed." Yoo said, "The amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act and the Prosecutors' Office Act, which the Democratic Party of Korea passed unilaterally, should not be submitted to the plenary session."

Just before the subcommittee's passage, Yoo also argued, "The Democratic Party completely restricted the prosecutor's supplementary investigation rights on the grounds of unity and identity," adding, "The prosecutor in the 'Nth Room case' cannot investigate additional crimes, cannot find the real culprit and accomplices, and cannot recognize perjury and false accusation." He continued, "Since the public has heavily criticized Geomsu Wanbak, they have circumvented through such a despicable method to completely remove prosecutors' supplementary investigation rights," criticizing, "They have perfectly created Geomsu Wanbak." Yoo raised his voice, saying, "Now, South Korea will become a country where those in power commit crimes without punishment, and crime victims can no longer appeal to the prosecution."

Park Hyung-soo, the floor spokesperson, also claimed, "The agreement presupposes the guarantee of supplementary investigation rights, but by bundling it under the concepts of unity and identity, supplementary investigation becomes a mere shell," adding, "They are trying to pass a bill that prevents investigation of additional crimes by force." Jeon Ju-hye, a member of the same party, distributed related materials to on-site reporters, saying, "The highlighted parts are not in the agreement but were passed over." Jeon warned, "The agreement made by the Democratic Party is nominally an agreement but is effectively a Geomsu Wanbak law. It has deviated from the agreement," and pledged to use all legal means to block it.

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