As the Democratic Party of Korea accelerates its push to revise the Criminal Procedure Act to abolish prosecutors' supplementary investigation authority, Rep. Hong Ki-won of the Democratic Party voiced concerns, saying "a deliberation process is needed."
Appearing on KBS Radio on the 10th, Hong said, "Regarding the issue of supplementary investigation authority, I have said (in the lawmakers' group chat), 'We should not discuss it with a conclusion already decided. We must deliberate with all options open, considering what problems retaining the supplementary investigation authority poses or whether abolition is better.'" He added, "My position is the same this time."
He also expressed doubts about the leadership's explanation that it had strengthened alternatives such as the right to request supplementary investigation. Hong explained, "It seems various safeguards have been prepared, but my fundamental view is that they cannot essentially resolve the problems arising from abolishing the supplementary investigation authority."
Hong was particularly concerned that abolishing the supplementary investigation authority would place an excessive burden on the police. "The police's investigative authority has already increased significantly through the adjustment of investigative powers between prosecutors and police. Each investigator handles 50 to 60 cases," Hong said. "If prosecutors are only able to request supplementary investigations, the police will have even less capacity (to conduct additional investigations)."
He also saw potential side effects for crimes where evidence is difficult to find. Hong said, "Crimes against the socially vulnerable or sexual assault are crimes where evidence is hard to find," adding, "Interviews and circumstantial evidence investigations are needed, but if the police set the wrong direction early on, there is a possibility of distortion. Supplementing that and ensuring it is done well was the work prosecutors did." He added, "With the right to request supplementary investigation, the investigator in charge of the case would have to reverse the direction of their own investigation and move in a new direction, which is not an easy task."
