Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday staunchly defended the recent legal amendment that abolishes prosecutors' authority to conduct direct investigations, describing it as "the beginning of judicial normalization." This comes as he signals his intention to enact the bill into law, despite the opposition party's calls for a presidential veto.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee made these remarks during a Cabinet meeting following the National Assembly's approval of the revision to the Criminal Procedure Act. The amendment removes the prosecution's authority to conduct direct and supplementary investigations, assigning this responsibility solely to the police. Lee asserted that separating investigations from indictments marks the beginning of correcting the "abnormal" criminal justice system.
President Lee emphasized that the presidential veto should be reserved for instances where the constitutional order or separation of powers is in jeopardy, which he does not believe applies in this case. He acknowledged the controversies surrounding the bill but argued that it does not pose a constitutional threat or undermine the legislative power of the National Assembly.
He criticized the historical overreach of prosecutors, who have wielded significant authority from indictments to court warrant requests, sometimes abusing this power. However, Lee also cautioned that entrusting investigative authority solely to the police could have unintended consequences. He instructed officials to develop systems to ensure transparency and efficacy in police investigations.
The president underscored the need for prosecutors to remain committed to their role as defenders of public interest and human rights, while urging the police to address internal issues and enhance victim protection. He highlighted that no reform is easily accomplished through a single systemic change and called for vigilant oversight of the new system's implementation, with swift action to rectify any deficiencies.
In addition to judicial reforms, President Lee addressed the urgent need for measures to protect citizens amid a severe heat wave in South Korea. With temperatures soaring above 40°C in many regions, he declared the situation a state disaster and called for comprehensive efforts to safeguard lives. Special attention was directed towards protecting vulnerable populations and workers in extreme heat conditions, with instructions to expand access to heat shelters and enable workers to suspend work if necessary.