DP set to push for plenary vote on bill scrapping prosecution's direct investigative rights

Lead

South Korea's ruling Democratic Party (DP) is pressing ahead with legislation that would strip the prosecution of its direct investigative authority, a move that has drawn opposition from the People Power Party (PPP). The DP has also introduced a companion bill requiring police and prosecutors to record the entire investigative process, aiming to address concerns about the impact on crime victims.

Coverage Comparison

Yonhap News reported on July 23 that the DP proposed a bill requiring police to record the entire investigative process, a day after the party finalized its position that the prosecution should be stripped of its supplementary investigative authority. The wire service noted the bill, introduced by DP Rep. Kim Seung-won, mandates investigators to take video recordings of the entire execution of searches, seizures and inspections.

A separate Yonhap report on July 29 said the National Assembly's legislation and judiciary committee referred the revision to the Criminal Procedure Act to an agenda coordination committee, a step taken when mediation is needed over contentious bills. That article detailed the committee's structure and voting rules.

On July 30, Yonhap reported that the DP was set to push for passage of the amendment during a plenary session, with the main opposition PPP expected to launch filibusters against the bill and a related measure to shorten the review period for fast-tracked legislation.

The reports collectively describe a coordinated legislative push by the DP, procedural obstacles raised by the opposition, and the party's efforts to address transparency concerns.

Key Claims

• The National Assembly's legislation and judiciary committee referred a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act—aimed at stripping the prosecution of its supplementary investigative authority—to an agenda coordination committee on July 29, a move made amid disagreements between the rival parties.
• An agenda coordination committee can deliberate on legislation for up to 90 days, but if at least four of its six members vote in favor, the bill is sent to the standing committee for immediate voting.
• Rep. Seo Young-kyo of the DP, who chairs the judiciary committee, plans to appoint three DP lawmakers, two PPP lawmakers and one legislator from a minor party to the six-member panel.
• The DP has been pushing ahead with prosecution reform legislation that calls for dismantling the prosecution and creating two new agencies, each tasked with handling investigations and indictments.
• The DP proposed a bill requiring police and prosecutors to log details of each stage of an investigation in an interagency criminal justice information system, including evidence collected and materials relevant to sentencing.
• The bill also mandates investigators to take video recordings of the entire execution of searches, seizures and inspections, and to keep detailed written records.
• The DP seeks to pass the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act during a plenary session scheduled for 2 p.m. on July 30.
• The main opposition People Power Party is expected to launch filibusters against both the prosecution reform bill and a bill that would shorten the review period for fast-tracked legislation from a maximum of 330 days to 90 days.
• Under the National Assembly Act, a filibuster can be stopped after 24 hours if at least three-fifths of all parliament members, or 180 lawmakers, vote to end it. With support from minor opposition parties and independents, the DP, which holds 161 seats, is expected to secure the votes needed to end filibusters.