During the Democratic Party of Korea general meeting held on the 3rd, the idea of placing the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA) under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety gained traction as a key issue in the government's organizational restructuring. The Democratic Party plans to reach a final conclusion during a high-level party-government council on the 7th based on the opinions gathered that day.
The Democratic Party held a policy general meeting at the National Assembly starting at 2 p.m. for about 2 hours and 30 minutes, focusing on the 'Government Organization Act amendment bill.'
Spokesperson Baek Seung-ah met with reporters after the general meeting and noted, "There was a discussion on whether to place the SCIA under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety or the Ministry of Justice." She explained, "Most opinions leaned toward placing it under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and there were no opinions to place it under the Ministry of Justice. There were also views to place it under the Prime Minister's office."
"The issue of abolishing the supplementary investigative rights of the prosecution, another contentious point of 'prosecutorial reform,' and the functions of the National Investigation Commission were mentioned, but it was decided to discuss them separately later."
The party intends to finalize its conclusions at the high-level party-government council on the 7th after a legislative public hearing by the National Assembly's Judiciary and Legislation Committee on the 4th.
Spokesperson Baek stated, "We heard a variety of opinions at the general meeting and decided to delegate the final position to the leadership," adding, "We plan to coordinate party and government opinions at the high-level party-government council on the 7th to introduce the (Government Organization Act amendment bill)."
At the general meeting that day, the direction of restructuring other government departments was also shared. Chairwoman Han Jeong-ae explained the establishment of a Ministry of Climate and Energy and the proposed restructuring of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Financial Services Commission, but specific details were decided to remain confidential. Given that the government organization restructuring plan is a matter ultimately decided by the presidential office, it appears that the party intends to limit internal opinions to the level of conveying them to the government, aiming to minimize party-government noise.
According to multiple attendees, the restructuring plan shared that day is reportedly at the level already known to the media. Previously, the Presidential Committee on Policy Planning had been reviewing a plan to establish a Planning and Budget Office by separating the budget functions of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and consolidating the domestic financial policy functions of the Financial Services Commission into a 'Ministry of Finance and Economy.'
It is also reported that the Financial Services Commission plans to strengthen its supervisory functions and transition into the 'Financial Supervisory Commission,' while separating the Consumer Protection Agency from the Financial Supervisory Service to establish the 'Consumer Protection Agency.' Some members expressed concerns regarding the plan to separate energy functions from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and merge them with the Ministry of Environment to establish a 'Ministry of Climate and Energy.'
One legislator stated, "The content mentioned was at the level reported by the media," adding, "Specific proposals will remain confidential at the request of the leadership."