Seoul: Some lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) on Wednesday proposed a set of bills aimed at reforming the prosecution and eliminating prosecutors' authority in initiating criminal probes. In South Korea, prosecutors have the authority to initiate criminal investigations and indict suspects, which has faced criticism for being excessive.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the bills call for abolishing the prosecution's headquarters and establishing three new institutions to assume investigative powers from the prosecution service. The bills were introduced by DP Representatives Kim Yong-min, Kang Jun-hyeon, Min Hyung-bae, Jang Kyung-tae, and Kim Moon-soo.

At a press conference held at the National Assembly, the lawmakers emphasized that the proposed reform represents a significant step toward "normalizing the prosecution," stating that it is time to "complete the prosecution reform properly." They asserted that fulfilling the people's demands should not be delayed any longer.

If the bills are enacted into law, the prosecution's headquarters will be dissolved, and three new organizations will be established: the prosecution service, the serious crimes investigation agency, and the national investigation commission. The plan involves separating the prosecutors' investigative and indictment powers, with the prosecution service responsible for indictments and the serious crimes investigation agency overseeing investigations.

The serious crimes investigation agency will be under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the prosecution service under the Ministry of Justice, and the national investigation commission will be established under the Prime Minister's Office. The lawmakers expressed their intention to put an end to politically motivated investigations and directives from higher authorities.