South Korea debates overhaul of prosecutors’ supplementary investigation power and police emergency arrests

In the first half of 2024, prosecutors asked police to conduct supplementary investigations in 65,913 cases, a 27.2% rise over four years that overtook the previous record of 116,623 cases in 2023. Unresolved cases exceeding 100,000 were also reported. A Gallup poll of 1,300 South Koreans found 61% support keeping the supplementary‑investigation authority, while 23% favour its abolition; among Democratic Party supporters, 46% back the authority and 39% oppose it.

At the same time, a criminal‑procedure amendment submitted by the Democratic Party would allow police to make emergency arrests without prior prosecutor approval, requiring only a post‑arrest notification. Independent lawmaker Han Dong‑hoon warned that this would enable "unlimited, warrant‑less arrests" and could be readily abused, calling the provision a "bomb" hidden in the bill. A televised debate on the issue was scrapped after a Democratic MP withdrew, and Han accused the party of trying to remove essential safeguards for citizens' rights.