South Korea passes criminal procedure law revamping prosecutor powers

South Korea criminal procedure law prosecutor powers police task force victim protection

South Korea's National Assembly approved a sweeping amendment to the criminal procedure law on July 31, eliminating prosecutors' investigative and supplementary investigation rights and creating a Public Prosecution Office and a Serious Crime Investigation Agency. The law expands dismissal grounds for prosecutors, adds pre‑charging provisions for seven serious crimes against vulnerable victims, and is scheduled to take effect on Oct 2.

President Lee Jae‑myung endorsed the amendment at a cabinet meeting, describing the separation of investigation and prosecution as a normalization of the criminal justice system. The ruling Democratic Party held a public‑report meeting to defend the changes and announced further legislation to protect victims. The opposition People Power Party called for a presidential veto, while critics blamed People Power leader Jang Dong‑hyuk for the bill's passage. Police chief Hong Seok‑gi said the reform places police in a new investigative role, forming a task force to prepare accompanying regulations and ensure smooth implementation.

The amendment has sparked intense political debate, with the Democratic Party emphasizing victim‑rights safeguards and the People Power Party warning of potential public‑safety risks. Law‑enforcement agencies are preparing for the transition, noting that the removal of prosecutors' investigative authority will require police to handle case completion and that the new oversight mechanisms aim to prevent delays and “ping‑pong” disputes.

Entities

Cho Seong‑ho · Democratic Party of Korea · Han Byung‑do · Jang Dong‑hyuk · Jeong Cheong‑rae · Kim Min‑seok · Korean Prosecutor's Office · Lee Jae‑myung · National Assembly of South Korea · People Power Party · Shincheonji · Song Young‑gil

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] Opposition parties claim the changes politicise the judiciary and could be used to target political opponents. www.imaeil.com · www.hani.co.kr
[● 6 SOURCES] The amendment adds pre‑charging provisions for seven serious crimes involving vulnerable victims. www.imaeil.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The amendment expands grounds for dismissal of prosecution to include 'serious illegal investigation' and 'significant deviation of prosecutorial discretion'.
[● 7 SOURCES] The amendment creates a Public Prosecution Office and a Serious Crime Investigation Agency. www.imaeil.com · www.hani.co.kr
[○ 1 SOURCE] Former Justice Minister Park Seong‑jae was charged, his case was dismissed, and the conflict between special investigation teams has raised concerns about the new framework.
[● 8 SOURCES] The criminal procedure law amendment was passed by South Korea's National Assembly on July 31. www.imaeil.com · biz.heraldcorp.com · www.hani.co.kr · www.donga.com · www.seoul.co.kr
[● 3 SOURCES] Critics warn that removing the prosecutor's supplementary investigation right may cause delays and lack of oversight.
[● 5 SOURCES] The amendment removes the prosecutor's investigative authority and abolishes the Prosecutor's Office.
[● 3 SOURCES] The amended criminal procedure law is set to take effect on Oct 2. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.hani.co.kr
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Supreme Court said courts must consider the prosecutor’s intent and overall circumstances when applying the new dismissal criteria.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Democratic Party accused the People Power Party of spreading false claims that the amendment restores prosecutors’ direct investigation authority.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Media commentator Jo Gapjae blamed People Power leader Jang Dong‑hyuk for responsibility for the amendment’s passage. www.hani.co.kr