DistantNews
Support us
Acting Prosecutor General expresses deep concern over planned abolition of supplementary investigation rights
🇰🇷 South Korea /Crime & Justice

Acting Prosecutor General expresses deep concern over planned abolition of supplementary investigation rights

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The acting Prosecutor General, Koo Ja-hyun, expressed deep concern over the proposed abolition of the prosecutor's supplementary investigation rights.
  • Koo warned that removing these rights would lead to the concealment of truth and the collapse of South Korea's criminal justice system.
  • The ruling party plans to process the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which eliminates these rights, in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

Acting Prosecutor General Koo Ja-hyun has voiced significant apprehension regarding the proposed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which seeks to abolish prosecutors' supplementary investigation rights. In a statement released through the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Koo described the move as deeply concerning, warning of dire consequences for the nation's criminal justice system.

If the effective inspection, supplementation, and correction functions of prosecutors disappear, as has been confirmed in numerous recent cases, the truth will be concealed, and South Korea's criminal justice system will collapse.

— Koo Ja-hyunActing Prosecutor General Koo Ja-hyun's warning about the consequences of abolishing supplementary investigation rights.

"If the effective inspection, supplementation, and correction functions of prosecutors disappear, as has been confirmed in numerous recent cases, the truth will be concealed, and South Korea's criminal justice system will collapse," Koo stated. He emphasized that the resulting harm would disproportionately affect citizens who rely most on state protection.

The acting prosecutor general highlighted that various sectors, including legal circles and victim support groups, have continuously expressed their concerns. He suggested that public opinion on institutional reform indicates a desire for changes that protect citizens from crime, rather than merely reducing prosecutorial power.

The resulting harm would disproportionately affect citizens who rely most on state protection.

— Koo Ja-hyunKoo Ja-hyun's concern about who would bear the negative impact of the proposed legal changes.

Koo appealed for thorough deliberation on the future of the criminal justice system for the benefit of the public during upcoming discussions, including the plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. He urged lawmakers to ensure that all citizens receive robust legal protection and that no one is left to suffer injustice.

Public opinion on institutional reform indicates a desire for changes that protect citizens from crime, rather than merely reducing prosecutorial power.

— Koo Ja-hyunKoo Ja-hyun's interpretation of societal calls for reform.

The proposed amendment, spearheaded by the ruling Democratic Party, aims to completely abolish prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers. The party intends to pass the bill in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's full session today.

Please thoroughly examine what the criminal justice system for the people should be during the upcoming discussions, including the plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Please ensure that all citizens receive robust legal protection and that no one is left to suffer injustice.

— Koo Ja-hyunKoo Ja-hyun's appeal to lawmakers regarding the proposed amendment.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog