On the 19th, the South Korean National Assembly introduced the bill for the establishment of a Public Prosecution Service, aiming to take over the roles of the currently existing prosecutor's office, which is set to be abolished in October. The ruling Democratic Party argues that this reform is necessary to rein in the extensive powers wielded by the prosecutors over the last seventy years, stating that the new agency will only have powers strictly defined by law, thereby preventing the abuse of power by prosecutors. Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae emphasized the importance of this legislation for stabilizing the judicial system.

The opposition party, the People Power Party, quickly initiated a filibuster, claiming that the law represents a "destruction of the prosecution" rather than reform. They held a protest at the National Assembly before the session, appealing to President Yoon to use his veto power against the bill. With ongoing debate, the Democratic Party plans to conclude the filibuster and push for a vote on the bill on the 20th, marking a significant point in the legislative process concerning judicial reform in South Korea.

The Public Prosecution Service is structured in a three-tier system, consisting of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, a Metropolitan Public Prosecutor’s Office, and Local Public Prosecutor’s Offices. This proposed reform limits the powers of prosecutors and aims to ensure legal accountability and oversight. The upcoming vote not only highlights the contentious political landscape surrounding judicial reforms in South Korea but also reflects the ongoing struggle between the two major parties over how to balance accountability and power within the prosecutorial system.