Writer Heo Ji-woong sharply criticized a bill to amend the Criminal Procedure Act centered on abolishing prosecutors' direct and supplementary investigation powers.
On the 4th, Heo wrote on Instagram, "A conversation I had with a friend on the phone not long ago," adding, "In the end, this is the world we made. The words we spewed at the world while acting superior, your drawings, our writing, and the people we supported made this mess."
He continued, "This really was the Maginot line," and said, "Since it's hard to endure, let's take responsibility by dying quickly," revealing his state of mind. The post has since been deleted.
Earlier, Heo also criticized the Criminal Procedure Act amendment, saying, "I oppose abolishing the supplementary investigation power," and, "Even among the hard-liners' antics in the Democratic Party, this is the Maginot line."
He said, "Before abolishing the supplementary investigation power, strengthening police capabilities and protecting victims must come first," and argued, "Even now, how many people's lives are being ruined by investigation delays and poor work, and even allegations of fabrication?"
He continued, "No one can take responsibility for the confusion and regression of history that will result from abolishing the supplementary investigation power," and urged, "At this point, the only thing that can stop this is the president's veto."
However, on the 4th, at a Cabinet meeting presided over by President Lee Jae-myung, the government reviewed and approved the proclamation of the Criminal Procedure Act amendment.
At the Cabinet meeting, the president said, "There is much controversy, but it is hard to see this bill as unconstitutional or as infringing on the executive's inherent authority to the extent of denying the National Assembly's legislative power," adding, "A veto is not exercised simply because of differing opinions, but when it violates the principle of separation of powers or constitutional order."
The amendment removes the legal basis for prosecutors' direct investigation power and their supplementary investigation power over cases transferred by police. It also adds to the grounds for dismissal of prosecution the cases "where prosecution was brought based on a seriously unlawful investigation" and "where prosecution was brought by a manifest departure from prosecutorial discretion."
Meanwhile, Kim Jin-ju (alias), the victim in the Busan roundhouse kick case, also expressed concern about abolishing prosecutors' supplementary investigation power, leaving a comment on Heo Ji-woong's post that read, "I oppose judicial reform without crime victims."