Within the Democratic Party of Korea, opinions are split over the government's released advance notice of legislation for the Office of Public Prosecution and the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (Serious Crimes Agency). Inside the Democratic Party, some criticize the government plan as effectively a "second Prosecution Service," citing the Serious Crimes Agency's bifurcated system of investigation judicial officers and specialized investigators, and the unresolved supplementary investigation authority of the Office of Public Prosecution. On the other hand, some in the party say they should be cautious, arguing that the damage to citizens who suffer crimes must be minimized.
On the afternoon of the 15th, the Democratic Party of Korea held a policy caucus at the National Assembly to discuss the government plan for the Office of Public Prosecution and the Serious Crimes Agency. The caucus proceeded in a format where Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination Yoon Chang-ryeol and Deputy Head Noh Hye-won of the Prosecutorial Reform Promotion Team attended and answered questions from ruling party lawmakers. The Democratic Party of Korea also plans to hold a related public hearing on the 20th.
Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae said at the caucus, "Lawmakers have mixed views on the government's current advance notice of legislation. Once opinions are gathered through debate, the government's advance notice of legislation will be revised." Floor leader Han Byung-do also said, "To build consensus, we will hold a public hearing and conduct both closed and open debates."
After the caucus, party floor spokesperson Kim Hyun-jung told reporters, "There were many questions from lawmakers about the Serious Crimes Agency bill that splits investigation judicial officers and specialized investigators," adding, "Even so, concerns about the Serious Crimes Agency were raised among lawmakers, and our party's position will be organized through the public hearing and a second caucus."
Among Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers, the points of contention in the Office of Public Prosecution and Serious Crimes Agency bills are the "bifurcated system of the Serious Crimes Agency" and the "supplementary investigation authority." Despite the inclusion of the overarching principle of "separating investigation and indictment" in the government plan, some argue that prosecutors will ultimately come to dominate both the Office of Public Prosecution and the Serious Crimes Agency.
In particular, on the 13th, hard-liners in the Democratic Party of Korea held a forum and mounted a strong backlash. Choo Mi-ae, who chairs the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, said, "Whether it is the supplementary investigation authority or the right to request supplementary investigation, we must recall that under no pretext should investigative authority be given to prosecutors." Kim Yong-min, the ruling party's secretary on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, raised his voice, saying, "People heard the bill the government released in its advance notice of legislation and expressed anger and disappointment."
However, some Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers say that "as a result of prosecutorial reform, people should not be inconvenienced." They argue that to reduce confusion caused by rapid changes in the criminal justice system, the party should not blindly oppose the Serious Crimes Agency's bifurcated structure and the Office of Public Prosecution's supplementary investigation authority. This stance aligns in context with the position of Minister Jung Sung-ho of the Ministry of Justice.
Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Nam-hee wrote on Facebook the same day, "To ensure that criminal victims who are wronged and lack economic means can have their rights guaranteed, the design of the criminal justice process must be very meticulous," adding, "I hope for open debate that keeps various possibilities on the table and for improvements to the criminal justice system for the people."
Kim Ki-pyo, a lawmaker from the same party, also said, "If we immediately strip prosecutors of investigative authority, the delays that are currently occurring in practice are likely to grow more severe, and I argue that we need to prepare measures for that," adding, "If there are wise solutions to these problems, I will gladly follow them."