The Democratic Party of Korea has initiated a legislative drive centered on the so-called 'Four Laws for the Dissolution of the Prosecutor's Office.' These 'Four Laws for the Dissolution of the Prosecutor's Office' aim to abolish the Prosecutor's Office and establish a Prosecution Service dedicated to indictment and a serious crimes investigation agency known as the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, along with a National Investigation Commission to oversee these institutions. At a 'Prosecutor Reform Forum' held at the National Assembly on the 2nd, over 20 Democratic Party lawmakers, including party leadership contenders Jeong Cheong-rae and Park Chan-dae, gathered to express their resolve to push for the dissolution of the Prosecutor's Office by September.
The forum emphasized the necessity of the so-called 'Four Laws for Prosecutor Reform,' proposed last month by lawmakers Kim Yong-min, Min Hyung-bae, and Jang Kyung-tae, and was organized to support legislative efforts.
The 'Four Laws for Prosecutor Reform' driven by the Democratic Party consist of four components: ▲ Law for the Abolition of the Prosecutor's Office ▲ Law for the Establishment of the Prosecution Service ▲ Law for the Establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency ▲ Law for the National Investigation Commission. The core objective is to dismantle the existing Prosecutor's Office and to limit prosecutors' roles to prosecution and maintaining charges. Consequently, the Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office and local prosecutors' offices will be abolished, with the Prosecution Service assuming their roles. Investigative authority will be transferred to the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and police, and a separate National Investigation Commission will be established to oversee these investigative bodies.
At the forum, candidates for party leadership from the 8.2 National Convention also attended, promising to complete relevant legislation before the Chuseok holiday in September.
Lawmaker Park Chan-dae noted, "We must see the end of prosecutor reform this time," adding, "I will place prosecutor reform on the table this Chuseok." He emphasized that "the Prosecutor's Office is a broken power," stating, "It was the Prosecutor's Office that pinned a false crime on former President Roh Moo-hyun, driving him to death. Former President Moon Jae-in was hindered throughout his term and suffered harassment after leaving office. Targeted investigations against President Lee Jae-myung began immediately after the 20th presidential election concluded."
He further emphasized, "By September, we will dismantle the Prosecutor's Office, leaving no remnants of it. We will establish a Prosecution Service dedicated solely to prosecution, completely separating prosecution rights and investigative rights."
Another leadership contender, lawmaker Jeong Cheong-rae, also expressed a strong determination to see the legislation completed. He remarked, "Prosecutor reform must strike like a storm and clear away like a flash of lightning," promising, "I will ensure that the people hear the news that 'the Prosecutor's Office has been abolished' on their journey home for Chuseok."
Lawmaker Jeong stated, "Dragging this out will only allow for counterattacks," vowing, "I will handle it swiftly." He added, "I possess a strong punch and a fighter's spirit. I will take care of the fighting, so the President can focus on work. Thus, I will credit the President with the flowers and fruits of integration, cooperation, and stability."
Over 20 lawmakers, including Min Byeong-deok, Park Seong-jun, Park Seon-won, Kim Ki-pyo, Park Yong-gab, Park Min-gyu, Park Jeong, Seo Mi-hwa, Park Joo-min, Lee Jae-gang, Song Jae-bong, Lee Geon-tae, Kim Moon-soo, Heo Jong-sik, Park Jeong-hyun, Hwang Myeong-seon, Kim Tae-seon, Kim Sang-wook, Jo Gye-won, and Kim Seung-won, joined the forum, lending their support.
The Democratic Party plans to review the four bills in the 1st Subcommittee on Legislation and Judiciary of the National Assembly on the 3rd.
However, controversies over constitutional legitimacy, investigative gaps, and the political neutrality of the National Investigation Commission are expected to be inevitable in the future legislative process.
Voices concerning the excessive authority of the National Investigation Commission were also raised at the forum.
Attorney Yang Seung-bong, who participated as a discussant at the forum, suggested institutional improvements following the establishment of the Prosecution Service. He stated, "Article 18 of the Prosecution Service Act vaguely defines 'necessary matters for warrant applications' in the duties of the prosecutor, indicating that detailed procedural regulations should be established regarding the methods of warrant applications by prosecutors who do not directly handle investigations."
Police Commissioner Kwak Moon-jun, also a discussant, said, "Considering the overwhelming authority of the National Investigation Commission in terms of data submission and fact-finding, as well as the authority to form subcommittees, it can be interpreted as a structure that allows for intervention in virtually all investigations, potentially infringing on the independence of investigative agencies." He emphasized, "Clarification of the requirements for exercising the Commission's administrative investigative powers is necessary."
He further stated, "In particular, it would be appropriate to stipulate that the administrative investigative authority in an ongoing investigation should not be activated, and if recognized, it should be limited to extremely exceptional cases."
Future legislative conflicts between ruling and opposition parties are also expected to be inevitable. The opposition has strongly criticized this as "a judicial coup disguised as legislation, intending to undermine the foundation of the criminal justice system and create a tailored judicial structure for power."