On July 29, lawmakers from the People Power Party, including floor leaders Kim Seung-soo and Kim Mi-ae, gathered in front of the National Assembly's Legislative and Judiciary Committee to condemn the Democratic Party's unilateral handling of amendments to the Criminal Procedure Law. The People Power Party warned that abolishing supplementary investigation rights for prosecutors would leave crime victims inadequately protected.
Kim Mi-ae, the party's policy chief, spoke to reporters outside the committee, stating, "The state has an obligation to protect the lives and safety of its citizens, and laws should be made accordingly." She emphasized that many crime victims have relied on state protection within the criminal justice system.
She further questioned, "Why is it that only the Democratic Party seeks to completely strip prosecutors of their investigative powers in the safest country in the world, South Korea? Are citizens less important than 'Gaetdal' (a term for strong supporters of the Democratic Party)?"
Lawmaker Jo Bae-sook argued that even if the amendment to abolish supplementary investigation rights passes in the National Assembly, President Lee Jae-myung should exercise his right to request reconsideration. He stated, "If the state cannot resolve injustices, then brute force will prevail over the law, leading to a state of 'war of all against all.' How can people feel a sense of community and patriotism? This is the worst of bad laws that will divide and lead our society to ruin."
He added, "The President initially said that the abolition of supplementary investigation rights should be considered carefully, but suddenly, just before the party convention, he backed down. How can the nation's criminal justice system be sacrificed for a political party's gain?"
Lawmaker Park Chung-kwon also criticized the proposed law, stating, "This is absolutely not a law for the people. It is an unprecedented bad law appealing to the votes of 'Gaetdal' ahead of the Democratic Party's convention." He condemned the Democratic Party's unilateral and reckless actions in the National Assembly as not being in the interest of the public.
Meanwhile, the Legislative and Judiciary Committee processed the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law, which includes the abolition of supplementary investigation rights, under the ruling party's leadership. In response, the People Power Party plans to protest the rushed handling in front of the National Assembly on July 30 and intends to use a filibuster if the amendment is brought to the floor.
Kim Mi-ae, the party's policy chief, spoke to reporters outside the committee, stating, "The state has an obligation to protect the lives and safety of its citizens, and laws should be made accordingly." She emphasized that many crime victims have relied on state protection within the criminal justice system.
She further questioned, "Why is it that only the Democratic Party seeks to completely strip prosecutors of their investigative powers in the safest country in the world, South Korea? Are citizens less important than 'Gaetdal' (a term for strong supporters of the Democratic Party)?"
Lawmaker Jo Bae-sook argued that even if the amendment to abolish supplementary investigation rights passes in the National Assembly, President Lee Jae-myung should exercise his right to request reconsideration. He stated, "If the state cannot resolve injustices, then brute force will prevail over the law, leading to a state of 'war of all against all.' How can people feel a sense of community and patriotism? This is the worst of bad laws that will divide and lead our society to ruin."
He added, "The President initially said that the abolition of supplementary investigation rights should be considered carefully, but suddenly, just before the party convention, he backed down. How can the nation's criminal justice system be sacrificed for a political party's gain?"
Lawmaker Park Chung-kwon also criticized the proposed law, stating, "This is absolutely not a law for the people. It is an unprecedented bad law appealing to the votes of 'Gaetdal' ahead of the Democratic Party's convention." He condemned the Democratic Party's unilateral and reckless actions in the National Assembly as not being in the interest of the public.
Meanwhile, the Legislative and Judiciary Committee processed the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law, which includes the abolition of supplementary investigation rights, under the ruling party's leadership. In response, the People Power Party plans to protest the rushed handling in front of the National Assembly on July 30 and intends to use a filibuster if the amendment is brought to the floor.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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