Seoul: The ruling Democratic Party (DP) introduced a pivotal prosecution reform bill at a parliamentary plenary session, triggering a filibuster from the main opposition, the People Power Party, in a significant legislative confrontation.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the reform bill aims to separate the investigative and indictment powers of the prosecution service. This proposal is a continuation of a government reorganization law set to dismantle the current prosecution structure in October and establish new investigative and indictment agencies. The session witnessed the People Power Party's strong protest as the DP moved forward with the bill to establish a dedicated indictment agency.
The bill outlines that the newly proposed indictment agency will solely manage indictments, while a separate serious crimes investigation agency will be responsible for probing crimes related to corruption and economic offenses. Despite these structural changes, the agency's chief will continue to hold the title of "prosecutor general."
The government's initiative to separate the prosecution's exclusive powers stems from growing criticism that having control over both indictment and investigation grants excessive authority. With a majority in the Assembly, the DP is poised to pass the bill unilaterally after the filibuster's 24-hour limit expires on Friday.
Additionally, the DP is anticipated to seek a parliamentary investigation into alleged fabricated indictments during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. This investigation would encompass the 2015 Daejang-dong development project in Seongnam, during President Lee Jae Myung's mayoral tenure, and a 2019 illegal remittance case to North Korea.
Filibusters are used by lawmakers to delay a vote or block a bill's passage by holding the floor for extended periods. Under the National Assembly Act, a filibuster can be halted after 24 hours with the consent of at least three-fifths of all parliament members, equating to 180 lawmakers.