(EDITORIAL from The Korea Herald on Aug. 4)

On July 31, the Democratic Party of Korea successfully passed an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act that abolishes prosecutors' authority to conduct supplementary investigations during criminal proceedings. This amendment, set to take effect on October 2, marks a significant overhaul of South Korea's criminal investigation system.

The Democratic Party pushed through the bill without thorough deliberation, ignoring the concerns of crime victims and public opposition. Critics argue that this move represents legislative overreach and undermines democratic processes in the country. One of the proposed changes allows judges to dismiss indictments if investigations involved serious illegality or prosecutorial abuse of discretion, a move that critics argue could be abused to terminate criminal trials prematurely.

Despite a Gallup Korea survey indicating that 61% of the public supports retaining supplementary investigative authority, the Democratic Party proceeded with the bill. The Democratic Party must now take responsibility for hastily amending the nation's criminal justice system without proper consideration, while President Lee Jae Myung will also face responsibility if he chooses not to veto the bill.