Seoul:The ruling and opposition parties expressed differing opinions on Friday over the launch of two new agencies as part of a prosecution reform. The Democratic Party (DP) welcomed the reform, while the opposition raised concerns about the readiness of the new agencies.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the prosecution office was abolished after 78 years as part of a reform drive to strip the prosecution of its investigative powers, addressing criticisms of excessive authority. In its place, the Prosecution Office and the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA) were established. The Prosecution Office is tasked with indicting suspects, while the SCIA will investigate corruption, economic crimes, and other serious offenses.
DP floor leader Han Byung-do stated that the reform marks a new chapter in the criminal justice system, enhancing protection for citizens and safeguarding human rights. He emphasized that the unchecked power of the prosecution's dual role in investigations and indictments is now a thing of the past, with investigative functions remaining intact.
The People Power Party (PPP), the main opposition, raised concerns that victims might have fewer safeguards if police investigations are insufficient. Recent scrutiny of police handling of cases, such as a missing person case in Jeju, has intensified these concerns.
The PPP also argued that the new agencies were launched without adequate preparation, pointing to staffing shortages and a lack of leadership. PPP floor leader Jeong Jeom-sig questioned whether abolishing the prosecution service entirely was the right decision, despite its historical mistakes.
Senior PPP spokesperson Rep. Park Choong-kwon commented that the SCIA started with only about 1,900 employees, which is 66 percent of its total workforce capacity. He noted that prosecutors have been stripped of supplementary investigative rights even though the new system is not yet fully complete.
The SCIA began operations without a chief, as President Lee Jae Myung requested a parliamentary confirmation hearing for his nominee, Kim Ji-yong, to head the agency.