The Democratic Party has adopted a policy to completely abolish the supplementary investigation authority and is pushing an amendment through the National Assembly [1].

This move represents a significant shift in the South Korean criminal procedure law. By eliminating this specific authority, the ruling party seeks to restructure how investigations are conducted and managed within the legal system.

The party is currently accelerating its efforts to ensure the amendment passes during the full session of the National Assembly on July 30, 2026 [1]. This rapid timeline suggests a high level of coordination within the party to finalize the reform quickly.

Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho has signaled his support for a fresh start regarding these legal frameworks. "New wine must be put into new wineskins," Jung said [1].

Legislative discussions have centered on the National Assembly Law and Justice Committee. The committee serves as the primary venue for debating the technicalities of the abolition before the bill moves to a final vote.

A source from the ruling party's Law and Justice Committee confirmed the urgency of the timeline. The official said it is a fact that the full abolition of the supplementary investigation authority is now in a countdown [1].

The push for the amendment is driven by the party's view that the current supplementary investigation authority is either unnecessary or problematic. By removing this power, the Democratic Party intends to reform the balance of investigative authority across law enforcement agencies [1].

“"New wine must be put into new wineskins,"”

The abolition of supplementary investigation authority marks a pivotal change in the distribution of power between prosecutors and police. By removing this mechanism, the Democratic Party is attempting to fundamentally alter the checks and balances of the South Korean investigative process, potentially reducing the ability of certain agencies to reopen or refine cases after initial findings.