Ruling Party Dismisses Unconstitutionality Claims Over Prosecutor Powers

South Korea's ruling Democratic Party has forcefully rejected arguments that the recent abolition of prosecutors' investigative powers is unconstitutional. The opposition People Power Party, however, has escalated its protest, holding a rally outside the presidential office and calling on President Lee Jae-myung to veto the revised Criminal Procedure Act.

Rep. Seo Young-kyo, chairperson of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, asserted that the Constitutional Court has consistently ruled in favor of legislative authority in similar cases concerning the separation of investigative and prosecutorial powers. She described the revised law as a significant improvement to the Criminal Procedure Act, noting provisions for a "major crimes investigation agency" to probe potential police misconduct.

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The revised bill is a much-improved Criminal Procedure Act.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party's interim leader and floor leader, Han Byung-do, pledged to establish follow-up regulations and detailed guidelines to mitigate confusion arising from the law's implementation. The party also plans to form an internal task force dedicated to strengthening victims' rights. The ongoing dispute highlights a deep political divide over the future of the country's investigative and prosecutorial system.

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We promise to establish follow-up regulations and detailed guidelines to reduce confusion in the field.