South Korean lawmakers vote Friday on a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act abolishing prosecutors’ supplementary investigation authority. Opposition People Power Party lawmakers did not participate in the vote. Photo by Asia Today
Aug. 2 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's National Assembly has passed legislation abolishing prosecutors' authority to conduct supplementary investigations, raising concerns about how flawed or deliberately obstructed police investigations can be corrected.
The revision to the Criminal Procedure Act passed Friday under the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party. Lawmakers from the opposition People Power Party did not participate in the vote.
The Cabinet is expected to approve the measure this week.
The amendment eliminates prosecutors' remaining direct investigative authority, including the power to conduct their own follow-up investigation after receiving a case from police.
