Kim Jin-ju (alias), the victim in the "Busan roundhouse-kick case," asked President Lee Jae-myung to exercise the right to request reconsideration (veto) of the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act. She urged a review of the amendment, saying that if prosecutors' supplementary investigation authority is abolished, victims' rights could be weakened.
On the 3rd, Kim wrote on her X (formerly Twitter) account, "Because of the abolition of supplementary investigation authority and the abolition of the Prosecution Service, I ended up installing X. I thought you might see it here," adding, "Please, can you be on the victim's side? Please exercise the veto. I'm asking you."
She also shared her YouTube video, "Why the victim opposes abolishing supplementary investigation authority," and said, "If you think the victim doesn't really know what she's talking about, please watch the video to the end," adding, "Over the past year, I have taken part in more seminars, forums, and interviews than anyone."
Kim has repeatedly argued that the substance of the case could be revealed because there was a supplementary investigation by prosecutors. At a National Assembly forum last month, she said, "Thanks to the supplementary investigation authority, the charges were changed from simple injury to attempted murder, including rape," adding, "If there had been no supplementary investigation, the perpetrator might have returned to society without anyone even knowing about the sex crime victimization."
She continued, "If the supplementary investigation authority is abolished, victims may have to hire a lawyer themselves from the police investigation stage to find evidence," stressing, "A mechanism to verify the investigation results one more time is absolutely necessary."
Earlier, on the 31st, the National Assembly passed at a plenary session an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act that abolishes prosecutors' direct investigation authority and supplementary investigation authority. The amendment is expected to be submitted to a Cabinet meeting as early as this week.
The day before, Kim also went to the social networking service (SNS) of Rep. Kim Yong-min of the Democratic Party of Korea to protest. After Kim posted that he had paid his respects at the grave of former President Roh Moo-hyun and "offered the passed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act at the shrine," Kim left a comment on the post saying, "Go to hell."
Meanwhile, over the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, the People Power Party is asking President Lee to exercise the veto, while the Democratic Party of Korea is pushing back, saying it is an attempt to roll back prosecutorial reform.