Busan: The acting top prosecutor has defended the prosecution's right to conduct supplementary investigations, emphasizing it as their "duty," his office announced on Thursday. This statement seems to counter the growing calls within the ruling Democratic Party (DP) to abolish these powers.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Acting Prosecutor General Noh Man-seok made these remarks amidst ongoing efforts by the government and the DP to implement extensive prosecutorial reforms aimed at preventing potential abuse of power by prosecutors. During his visit to Busan on Wednesday, Noh stated, "While following due process, uncovering the substantive truth through supplementary investigation is not the prosecution's right but its duty."

Currently, prosecutors have the authority to carry out supplementary investigations themselves in certain cases or to request additional investigations from the police if they find initial investigations insufficient. However, some lawmakers within the DP have proposed removing this power from prosecutors, a move that has sparked concerns about potentially failing to hold the police accountable.

The Democratic Party is pushing to pass a bill on September 25 that aims to dismantle the current prosecution service and establish new, separate agencies responsible for indictments and investigations into serious crimes.