(4th LD) Cabinet approves revision scrapping prosecutors' authority to investigate

The Cabinet of South Korea approved a legal revision on Tuesday, scrapping prosecutors' authority to investigate cases directly and transferring investigative power solely to the police. President Lee Jae Myung hailed this as "the beginning of judicial normalization," emphasizing that separating investigations from indictments marks a crucial step towards reforming the country's criminal justice system.

This revision, passed through the National Assembly last week, was supported by the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) boycotting the vote, arguing that it would benefit criminals. The bill reduces prosecutors' power to conduct investigations, including supplementary investigations, and allows them to request police to carry out such investigations if needed, which have up to two months to complete.

Acting head of the National Police Agency, Yoo Jae-seong, pledged to take measures to address public concerns about the expanded police authority before the law takes effect on October 2. He vowed to increase transparency in investigations by keeping records of the entire process and ensuring closer cooperation with prosecutors to prevent delayed or faulty investigations.

The president stressed that prosecutors should continue to be defenders of public interest and human rights while the police must strengthen victim protection and eradicate internal irregularities. Despite calls for a veto, President Lee argued that the separation of powers was not at risk, and the revision did not infringe on the executive branch's authority.

However, he warned that this change could lead to unintended consequences and instructed officials to devise complementary systems to ensure transparency and capability in police investigations.