Seoul: Rep. Kang Sun-woo has been cleared of several allegations, including abuse of aides and receiving illicit political funds, raising questions about the justice system's fairness. According to Yonhap News Agency, Kang faced accusations of misusing her aides by assigning them personal tasks and threatening their future employment prospects. Civic groups filed complaints against her for alleged violations such as the Labor Standards Act and abuse of authority, but police dismissed these complaints due to insufficient details provided by the aides.

Kang was also exonerated from accusations of receiving 20 million won in political funds from executives of Ssangbangwool, although their cases were forwarded to prosecutors. Despite these clearances, Kang remains in custody over accusations of accepting 100 million won from former Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung in exchange for a party nomination. This situation has sparked debate over the impartiality of the legal process.

Rep. Han Dong-hoon, an independent lawmaker, publicly questioned the decision to refer the cases of fund providers for investigation while not doing the same for Kang as the recipient. His concerns highlight the implications of the Criminal Procedures Act revision, which curtails the prosecution's ability to request supplementary investigations, effectively shifting the balance of power toward the police in criminal investigations.

Both Kang and Han, now independent legislators, were previously affiliated with opposing political parties, which may indicate an underlying partisan conflict. The revised Criminal Procedures Act, effective from October, is expected to limit the ability of complainants to challenge police conclusions, as the prosecution's investigative powers are significantly reduced.

The handling of Kang's case underscores potential outcomes under the new prosecutorial system, reflecting a shift in investigative authority. Despite President Lee's opposition to entirely eliminating the prosecution's supplementary powers, he did not veto the legislation, aligning with the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's reform agenda. This decision, coupled with other factors, has contributed to a dip in his approval ratings, as reported by a Realmeter poll showing negative assessments of his performance surpassing positive ones.

The reform of the prosecution, aimed at improving criminal proceedings, risks overlooking the victims it intends to protect. The challenge remains to balance the reform's objectives without compromising the protection and rights of citizens within the judicial system.