김민석 “실종 허위종결, 검찰 보완수사권 있는데 벌어진 일”

Kim Min-seok, the leader of the Democratic United Party, stated on the 26th that the "fabricated conclusion of the Jeju disappearance case marks a shared sorrow among the nation," contrary to the claims of some parties that the enhanced investigating powers of the prosecution were in effect at the time. This response came swiftly from conservative opposition parties.

At a current session in Ansan, Kim Min-seok announced that he would "strike a blow for police reform." He emphasized that "the entire nation and the president currently recognize how vital police reform is" and that "we must root out six major failures," including cover-ups, case manipulation, evidence suppression, and violations of personal privacy.

Specifically, Kim Min-seok outlined plans to "explore further external audits, reinforce the basis for investigations, strengthen explanations to victims, and impose stricter legal accountability on improper and flawed investigations." He also stressed the need to "ensure robust command and control structures and firmly hold individuals accountable for their responsibilities."

Further, Kim Min-seok vowed to "protect the nation's citizens while safeguarding their rights against invasive investigations, and to fundamentally reform the prosecution and police under the principle of national sovereignty to strengthen democratic oversight." Meanwhile, in the National Assembly's Constitution and Legal Affairs Committee plenary session, opposition and ruling parties joined forces to link the ongoing debate on the fabricated conclusion with the proposed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which would abolish the enhanced investigating powers.

National Assembly member Jung Jin-woo questioned the state of the nation's police with the remark, "What fundamental question arises when the police fail to exercise their full investigative authority in one of the most shocking incidents of our time?" In response, Democratic Party member Kim Dong-a argued that "it was the fabricated conclusion that led to the events, and the logic of giving the prosecution's enhanced investigating powers merely because police made mistakes is fundamentally flawed."

National Assembly member Kim Min-cheon called for a renewed discussion on enhanced investigating powers.