Seoul: The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on Monday called on President Lee Jae Myung to veto a recently passed bill aimed at abolishing the prosecution's direct investigative powers. PPP lawmakers made the appeal as they held a meeting of the party's Supreme Council outside Cheong Wa Dae, slamming the bill as a measure that would only benefit criminals and undermine the rule of law.

According to Yonhap News Agency, PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok criticized the recently passed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, stating, "When the passage of the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act abolishing the supplementary investigative authority was declared, the rule of law in South Korea was handed a death sentence." He further argued that the bill primarily benefits criminals, including President Lee, whose criminal trials are currently suspended.

Rep. Jang warned that public demands for President Lee's impeachment would intensify if he refuses to veto the bill, stressing that the legislation is opposed by a significant portion of the public, legal experts, and even some ruling party lawmakers. Concerns have been raised that the bill could weaken protection for victims.

Under the bill, the prosecution will lose its authority to conduct direct investigations, including supplementary ones. Prosecutors will instead have the ability to request judicial police officers to carry out these investigations. The bill passed a plenary session last week with a 175-2 vote, despite protests from the PPP.

The revision is part of the ruling party's broader prosecution reform drive, which aims to dismantle the current prosecution system and create two new agencies tasked with handling investigations and indictments separately.