South Korean Opposition Slams Proposed Law as 'Political Deal' to Protect President

South Korea's opposition People Power Party (PPP) has vehemently criticized a proposed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, slated for a parliamentary vote. The PPP contends that the amendment, which seeks to abolish prosecutors' supplementary investigation rights, is a politically motivated maneuver designed to shield President Lee Jae-myung from his ongoing legal battles.

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This evil law, born out of a desire for revenge against the prosecution, has entered the National Assembly through haste and foul play.

"This evil law, born out of a desire for revenge against the prosecution, has entered the National Assembly through haste and foul play," stated PPP floor leader Jeong Jin-seok during a party meeting. He further alleged that the amendment is a product of "political backroom deals," driven by intra-party competition for support from hardline party members ahead of the Democratic Party's national convention.

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This is not law. It is a political side-deal to eliminate the president's criminal trial and the Democratic Party's hardliners to eliminate the prosecution.

Adding to the controversy, the amendment includes a new provision allowing courts to dismiss indictments under vague criteria such as "serious illegal investigation" or "significant abuse of prosecutorial discretion." The PPP argues this is a deliberate attempt to create a "season 2" of dismissal special prosecutors or establish "court-dismissal courts" specifically to nullify President Lee's trial. "This is not law. It is a political side-deal to eliminate the president's criminal trial and the Democratic Party's hardliners to eliminate the prosecution," Jeong asserted.

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The 'prosecutorial reform' was just packaging; inside it was 'erasing Lee Jae-myung's crimes,' 'erasing the president's custom-made trial.'

The PPP's spokesperson, Choi Bo-yoon, echoed these sentiments, calling the amendment a "law to abolish national safety measures" by preventing prosecutors from directly correcting errors or omissions in police investigations. The party warns that if passed, the amendment could lead to significant investigative gaps, leaving victims of crimes vulnerable and potentially allowing the president to evade a verdict on the merits of his case. The PPP has vowed to filibuster the bill, urging fellow lawmakers to listen to the "desperate warnings" against what they deem a "legal chaos" that sacrifices the rule of law for political gain.

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The entire South Korean criminal justice system is not a trophy for a specific faction. I sincerely appeal to the Democratic Party lawmakers. Please do not dismiss the filibuster... as mere political strife or time-wasting, but listen to it to the end. It is a desperate warning to prevent victims from crying due to investigative gaps.