The Democratic Party of Korea moved to head off concerns about investigative gaps and case processing delays ahead of the launch of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency and the Public Prosecution Office. The party expressed confidence that the new criminal justice system would take hold, saying it had secured continuity by keeping most existing heads of district prosecutors' offices in place as heads of the new district prosecution offices and by having police set up dedicated units for supplementary investigations.
"A new chapter in our criminal justice system begins tomorrow with the launch of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency and the Public Prosecution Office," Han Byung-do, the party's floor leader, said at a policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly on the 1st. "Investigations will become more specialized and indictments more precise through this division of labor, establishing the checks and balances that protect citizens' rights."
Addressing concerns about an investigative vacuum during the transition, Han said: "The disappearance of prosecutors' investigative powers does not mean the state loses its investigative function." He added that investigative agencies would continue their work at the request of the Public Prosecution Office for supplementary investigation.
Han also stressed that the government had secured continuity by retaining most existing heads of district prosecutors' offices as heads of the new district prosecution offices. "Police are also forming dedicated supplementary investigation units and working on transferring cases and converting wanted notices," he said. "This is no reason to frighten the public with claims that all wanted notices will be voided."
Mechanisms to resolve confusion over jurisdiction among investigative agencies will also be put in place. Han said a consultative council on investigative jurisdiction, involving police, the Major Crimes Investigation Agency and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, would reconcile differences among agencies. A police reform committee will be established under the Office for Government Policy Coordination to pursue democratic oversight of police alongside stronger investigative capacity, he said.
"There will never be a case left drifting between agencies or a victim denied redress," Han said. "We will prove the results of this reform through fair investigations and robust protection of rights." Turning to the People Power Party, he said, "Do not dress up opposition to reform as public anxiety," urging cooperation so the new system can function properly.
On the government's review of joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Democratic Party said it would not push ahead unilaterally until measures are in place to address losses for farmers and fishers. With concerns mounting in the agriculture, livestock and fisheries industries after preliminary findings of the government's economic impact analysis became known, the party said it would prioritize gathering views from those affected. "The government will never pursue unilateral accession until it has listened to farmers and fishers and prepared reasonable measures," Han said. "Seeking new opportunities and protecting the livelihoods of farmers and fishers are both national tasks, and neither can be neglected."
The party also decided to form a special committee on agricultural policy in response to the CPTPP discussions. "We will form the committee, and I will serve as its chair myself as floor leader to hear their difficulties," Han said. "We will fully gather the views of farmers and fishers and responsibly find a direction that benefits both our economy and rural and fishing communities." He also welcomed the government's plan to supplement agriculture and fisheries funds with budget resources, calling it "keeping promises made to farmers and fishers and solidifying trust in the government." He added, "The Democratic Party will serve as a firm bridge between the government and those on the ground."
