South Korean conservatives condemn opposition's move to abolish prosecution's investigation rights

South Korea's conservative People Power Party (PPP) strongly criticized the main opposition Democratic Party on July 30 for attempting to force through an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act that would abolish the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights. The PPP denounced the move as "foolish state governance" and urged President Lee Jae-myung to exercise his veto power.

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The opposition party should listen when issues are raised, but instead, they try to push through hastily when criticized, engaging in foolish state governance that fixes the barn after the horse has bolted.

PPP floor leader Jeong Jin-suk accused the Democratic Party of rushing the legislation without proper consideration. "The opposition party should listen when issues are raised, but instead, they try to push through hastily when criticized, engaging in foolish state governance that fixes the barn after the horse has bolted," Jeong stated. He warned that the party's actions, driven by a desire to "attack the prosecution and retaliate," would lead to the downfall of the Lee administration.

Jeong further argued that the supplementary investigation rights serve as a crucial check on the police, especially since initial police investigations may not always be perfect. "It's not that the police are incompetent and the prosecution is competent. It's a check mechanism because initial police investigations may not be perfect," he explained. He accused Democratic lawmakers of wielding legislative power like unlimited authority, despite claiming the supplementary rights are merely prosecutorial power.

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It's not that the police are incompetent and the prosecution is competent. It's a check mechanism because initial police investigations may not be perfect.

Another PPP lawmaker, Yoon Sang-hyun, accused the Democratic Party of siding with specific individuals, implying a bias in the legislative process. He questioned how abolishing supplementary investigations, which allow prosecutors to uncover truth, constitutes victim protection when it shifts the burden of proof entirely onto the victim. Yoon added that if President Lee Jae-myung refuses to veto the bill, he would be admitting he is not the president of all citizens but a president for his supporters and himself.

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If President Lee Jae-myung refuses to veto the bill, he would be admitting he is not the president of all citizens but a president for his supporters and himself.