Justice Party opposes the complete abolition of prosecutors' supplementary investigative powers

The Justice Party expressed opposition to the Democratic Party of Korea's push to completely abolish prosecutors' supplementary investigative authority. The Justice Party argued that full transfer of all cases to prosecutors and a certain scope of supplementary investigative authority are necessary to prevent abuse of investigative powers, collusion with the police, and poor investigations. Citing the case of suspect Jang Yoonki in the murder of a female high school student in Jeonnam and Gwangju, the Justice Party explained that a charge of rapemurder was confirmed through prosecutors' supplementary investigation. The party said additional evidence, such as vehicle black box footage and forensic materials, was uncovered during the supplementary investigation process, and that this corrected an investigation that had been poorly carried out. The Justice Party emphasized that instead of eliminating supplementary investigative authority, other measures are needed to protect victims' rights. As the Democratic Party seeks to process the relevant bill in the plenary session, concerns are also growing within the broader ruling bloc.