President Lee Signs Law Stripping Prosecutors of Investigative Authority

President Lee Jae Myung presided over a Cabinet meeting on August 4 to approve the promulgation of a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act. The law strips prosecutors of their authority to conduct direct and supplementary investigations, leaving investigative power solely with the police. The revision was pushed by the ruling Democratic Party following accusations that prosecutors abused their powers and intervened in political cases. Under the new system, prosecutors will focus on the filing and sustainment of indictments.

During policy briefings, President Lee acknowledged public concerns regarding whether police capabilities are sufficient and trustworthy to finalize cases on their own. He stated that the separation of investigation and indictment is a step toward rectifying abnormalities in the criminal justice system, while promising to address any flaws in the revised system swiftly. Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho added that prosecutors may pay less attention to cases that police decide not to refer.

In a related development, the government announced staffing plans for a new major crimes investigation agency launching on October 2. The agency will consist of 2,874 personnel across six regional offices and headquarters, focusing on seven categories of crime including corruption, drug offenses, and cybercrimes. Current prosecutors and prosecution investigators may be appointed to the agency without taking exams if they express interest.

Public and political reactions to the law are divided. A poll commissioned by KUKINEWS found that 62.5 percent of South Koreans believe prosecutors should retain supplementary investigation rights to address potential gaps in police work. This sentiment was present across the political spectrum, with 53.8 percent of Democratic Party supporters and 73 percent of People Power Party supporters agreeing. People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk criticized the law as an evil measure that could harm victims and human rights.