{
  "id": 119754,
  "title": "PPP steps up criticism of bill on stripping prosecution of investigative powers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/ppp-steps-up-criticism-of-bill-on-stripping-prosecution-of",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-04T07:24:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yonhap News",
    "slug": "yonhap-news",
    "url": "https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260804007600315"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) has intensified its dissent towards a recently enacted legislation that curtails the prosecution's authority to initiate direct investigations, expressing apprehension over potential erosion of victim safeguards. This revision to the Criminal Procedure Act was ratified during a Cabinet gathering, despite vocal opposition from the PPP urging President Lee Jae Myung to veto the bill. PPP chief Jang Dong-hyeok lambasted the legislation during a forum convened by lawmakers and legal experts at the National Assembly, asserting that it primarily serves criminals, including the President. He cited the case of a victim who endured a brutal assault in Busan in 2022, falling victim to a man who followed her to her apartment, striking her with a roundhouse kick and subjecting her to repeated assault until she lost consciousness. The incident ignited public outrage, leading to a supplementary investigation by prosecutors that revealed the perpetrator's intent to sexually assault the victim as well. The aggrieved woman, in a recent X post, implored Lee to \"stand with the victims\" by leveraging his power to veto the bill. Rep. Na Kyung-won, a PPP member and a former judge, faulted the ruling Democratic Party (DP) for advancing the legislation, describing the revision to the Criminal Procedure Act as a \"door to hell\" designed solely for the President. The bill, part of the DP's wider prosecution reform initiative, seeks to dissolve the prosecution and establish two separate entities dedicated to investigations and indictments. Under the bill, prosecutors would no longer possess the prerogative to conduct supplementary investigations and would be relegated to requesting judicial police officers to execute them. The PPP contends that the revision could facilitate the prosecution and judiciary in withdrawing charges against President Lee, who has faced multiple trials, currently on hold, prior to his inauguration in June 2025.",
  "summary": "SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Yonhap) -- The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on Tuesda...",
  "key_points": [
    "PPP criticizes bill stripping prosecution's investigative powers",
    "Victim of 2022 Busan assault urges President Lee to veto bill",
    "Bill aims to dissolve prosecution, create separate investigation and indictment entities"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}