Seoul: The ruling Democratic Party (DP) on Thursday was set to push for the passage of a bill that would strip the prosecution of its direct investigative powers despite protests from the main opposition party.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the DP plans to pass the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act during a plenary session scheduled for 3 p.m. If approved, the revision would strip the prosecution of its authority to conduct direct investigations, including supplementary investigations. The DP has been advancing prosecution reform legislation aimed at dismantling the prosecution and creating two new agencies, each responsible for handling investigations and indictments.
The ruling party will also seek to pass a bill that would significantly shorten the review period for bills designated for fast track from a maximum of 330 days to 90 days, with the intention of accelerating the legislative process. The main opposition People Power Party is expected to launch filibusters against both bills in an attempt to prevent their passage.
Under the National Assembly Act, a filibuster can be halted after 24 hours if at least three-fifths of all parliament members, or 180 lawmakers, vote to end it. With support from minor opposition parties and independents, the DP, which holds 161 seats in the Assembly, is expected to secure the votes needed to terminate the filibusters and bring the bills to a vote.
Earlier in the day, the rival parties also agreed to pass a special counsel bill to investigate ballot shortages that affected the June 3 local elections. The special counsel team will be given up to 90 days for the inquiry, which can be extended twice by 30 days each. The team will examine allegations of the National Election Commission's inadequate management of ballot papers, as well as irregularities in the commission's decision to reduce the number of ballot papers printed.
Separately, the rival parties decided to extend the mandate of a parliamentary special committee investigating the incident by 30 days until the end of August.