Ruling party adopts scrapping prosecution's investigative rights as official party line

Ruling Party Adopts Revision to Strip Prosecution of Investigative Powers

South Korea's ruling Democratic Party (DP) has formally adopted a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act that would strip prosecutors of their authority to conduct direct and supplementary investigations, according to multiple reports from Yonhap News. The move has drawn sharp criticism and triggered the resignation offer of Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho.

The DP decided to pursue the revision during a policy meeting of its lawmakers on July 24, 2026, as reported by Yonhap. Under the proposed change, prosecutors' right to conduct supplementary investigations will be abolished, while measures to protect victims will be expanded amid concerns that removing all investigative rights from prosecutors could have negative consequences. The party also agreed to push for a revision to the act on the serious crimes investigation agency to establish a dedicated team that would be allowed to conduct supplementary investigations on crimes targeting socially vulnerable people.

The bill is expected to be put to a vote at a plenary session as early as next Thursday after a review by the National Assembly's legislation and judiciary committee, observers said. According to one Yonhap report, the DP pushed the amendment through the National Assembly plenary session on July 31, abolishing not only prosecutors' authority to conduct direct investigations but also their authority to carry out supplementary investigations. Cheong Wa Dae said it respects the National Assembly's legislative process and final decision, indicating that the president will not exercise his veto power, the same report said. As a result, from Oct. 2, when the current Korean Prosecution Service is replaced by the Prosecutors' Office and the Office of Serious Crimes Investigation, prosecutors will no longer be allowed to conduct supplementary investigations themselves, even if they find deficiencies in cases referred by the police.

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.

Coverage Comparison

All reports on this story come from Yonhap News — English. While the factual core is consistent across the reports, the framing varies notably. Some articles present the development in a neutral, factual tone, focusing on the party's decision and the legislative process. Others adopt a critical stance, describing the amendment as "legislative overreach" and noting that it was passed "against the will of the people" despite public opposition.

A Gallup Korea survey cited in one report showed 61% public support for retaining supplementary investigative authority. A separate KSOI poll, mentioned in another report, found Jung leading in the party leadership election.

Key Claims

• The Democratic Party of Korea pushed through an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act that abolishes prosecutors' authority to conduct direct and supplementary investigations, as reported by Yonhap.
• The president will not exercise his veto power over the amendment, according to Yonhap.
• Prosecutors will no longer be allowed to conduct supplementary investigations themselves from Oct. 2, according to Yonhap.
• A Gallup Korea survey showed 61% public support for retaining supplementary investigative authority, as reported by Yonhap.
• Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho tendered his resignation, according to Yonhap.
• The ruling Democratic Party of Korea reaffirmed its determination to pass an amendment stripping the prosecution of its authority to oversee police investigations, as reported by Yonhap.
• A recent KSOI poll found Jung leading in the party leadership election, according to Yonhap.
• The Democratic Party vowed to press ahead with abolishing prosecutors' supplementary investigative powers despite concerns voiced within the party, as reported by Yonhap.
• The party agreed to establish a dedicated team to conduct supplementary investigations on crimes targeting socially vulnerable people, according to Yonhap.

Perspectives

Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho — Jung offered his resignation, expressing frustration that his concerns about the amendment were ignored. He has repeatedly argued that prosecutors must retain the authority to supervise police investigations, warning that removing this power would ultimately harm victims of crime. According to Yonhap, Jung said there was nothing more he could accomplish as justice minister. The presidential office initially denied reports that Jung had offered to resign, but Jung later reiterated his intention, saying, "New wine deserves a new bag."

Democratic Party leadership — Floor leader Han Byung-do declared that "the principle of prosecution reform is that prosecutors do not investigate" and that there was no disagreement within the party, according to Yonhap. The party appears determined to fast-track the bill through the National Assembly, with the timing closely tied to the party's leadership election. Hard-line supporters have fiercely criticized lawmakers who proposed retaining some supplementary investigative authority, branding them the "11 enemies of prosecution reform."

Presidential office — Cheong Wa Dae said it respects the National Assembly's legislative process and final decision, indicating the president will not exercise his veto power. The office has also kept its distance, saying it will respect whatever decision the party makes.