The Democratic Party of Korea has indicated that while minor adjustments may be made to the government's proposed legislation for the Major Crime Investigation Agency and the Prosecutor's Office, significant changes are unlikely.
The Democratic Party of Korea stated on the 5th that the government's proposed legislation for the Major Crime Investigation Agency (MCIA) and the Prosecutor's Office may see some minor adjustments, but no substantial changes will be made. This statement comes amidst internal party voices, particularly from hard-liners, calling for significant modifications, such as the abolishment of the title 'Prosecutor General.' Han Jeong-ae, Chair of the Policy Committee, affirmed that the proposals submitted to the National Assembly reflect opinions gathered from internal discussions and public consultations on the need for judicial reform. She emphasized that the party would ensure careful handling of the legislative process regarding judiciary reforms.
As discussions approach the National Assembly's Legislative and Judiciary Committee, the Democratic Party has reiterated that only 'technical micro-adjustments' to the proposals would be considered. Spokesperson Baek Seung-a expressed that decisions made during a party meeting last month were primarily focused on technical aspects, indicating that substantial changes or modifications would be challenging. The committee's assessments now hinge on these explicitly defined technical aspects, pushing back against calls for broader reforms within the party.
In anticipation of the committee reviews, party hard-liners have consistently raised objections to the government proposals. Choo Mi-ae, a Democratic Party congresswoman and chair of the legislative committee, criticized the government's proposal on social media, arguing that merely changing the title from the current prosecution law to that of the Prosecutor's Office does not alleviate concerns surrounding its powers. She highlighted the potential adverse effects of allowing the Prosecutor General to have undue power over case assignments and the ongoing issue of retaining investigative authority without adequate oversight. Kim Yong-min, an Assembly member and the ruling party's representative on the committee, also underscored contradictions within the proposals that may require further adjustment.
