President Lee Jae-myung said the controversy regarding prosecutors' supplementary investigation power has now been settled [1].
The decision follows the passage of a criminal-procedure-law amendment by the State Council, which removes the direct investigative authority of prosecutors [1]. This shift represents a significant change in the South Korean legal system by formally separating the powers of investigation and prosecution to prevent the concentration of authority in a single agency [1].
During a briefing at the presidential office with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Lee said he supports the amendment [1]. The move aims to address long-standing disputes over how cases are handled and who holds the primary power to gather evidence [1].
President Lee said, "There was a lot of controversy over whether to conduct supplementary investigations, but in any case, this has now been settled" [1].
The amendment has sparked concerns among some officials that police forces might now monopolize investigations without sufficient oversight [1]. However, the administration maintains that the separation of powers is necessary for a more balanced justice system [1].
In the same briefing, Justice Minister Chung Sung-ho offered to resign [1]. President Lee said he rejected the offer and urged the minister to remain in his post to oversee the implementation of the new legal framework [1].
“"There was a lot of controversy over whether to conduct supplementary investigations, but in any case, this has now been settled"”
The removal of direct investigative powers from prosecutors marks a pivotal shift in South Korea's efforts to decentralize legal authority. By stripping prosecutors of the ability to lead investigations, the government is attempting to curb the perceived overreach of the prosecution service—a frequent point of political contention in the country. The rejection of Minister Chung's resignation suggests the administration is committed to seeing this transition through despite potential friction with law enforcement agencies.
