South Korea approves prosecution reform bill, ignoring advisory panel's repeated warnings

South Korea's government has approved a bill to abolish the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights, a move that has drawn criticism for allegedly disregarding repeated warnings from its own advisory committee. The bill, which passed the State Council on August 4, 2026, aims to significantly alter the powers of the prosecution service.

Documents reveal that the Advisory Committee for Prosecution Reform, established under the Prime Minister's Office last year, voiced concerns about maintaining the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights on 14 separate occasions. The committee, which met 27 times between its launch in October and May, consistently argued for the retention of these powers, suggesting that they are necessary for protecting the rights of suspects and victims.

During meetings in December and again in January, February, and March, committee members emphasized the need for supplementary investigation rights, even proposing enhanced control mechanisms to prevent misuse. The repeated calls for retention highlight a significant divergence between the committee's recommendations and the government's final decision.

Critics, including members of the opposition, argue that the government pushed ahead with the abolition despite clear signals from its own appointed experts. This has led to accusations that the administration ignored the advice of its own advisory body, potentially undermining the legitimacy of the reform process. The opposition contends that the government disregarded the committee's repeated concerns to advance its agenda.

The controversy centers on the perceived dismissal of expert opinions within the government's own consultative process. The repeated raising of the issue by the advisory committee suggests a strong internal debate and a clear preference among some experts for maintaining the prosecution's supplementary investigation powers, albeit with stronger oversight.