'Prosecution and Investigation Separation' Treatment Date Set by Ruling Party… Highlighting "As Promised, Before Chuseok" (Comprehensive)

President Lee Tidies Up After Dinner, Reorganizes Forces… Jeong "One Voice" to Block Confusion

Leadership, Special Committee, and Justice Committee Chair Hold Meeting to Assess Situation

Jeong Cheong-rae and Kim Byung-ki Salute the National Flag (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Hwang Kwang-mo = Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae (right) and floor leader Kim Byung-ki are saluting the national flag at a general meeting of lawmakers held at the National Assembly on August 21 ahead of the plenary session of the August extraordinary parliamentary session to handle contentious bills. 2025.8.21 hkmpooh@yna.co.kr

The Democratic Party on August 21 honed its focus for reform drive by establishing a roadmap for prosecutorial reform, "First, separation of investigative and prosecutorial powers through the Government Organization Act, then treatment of specific bills."

In particular, using President Lee Jae-myung's mention of "the need for public deliberation on contentious issues," the party addressed some confusion between the government, the party, and the presidential office that arose from party leader Jeong Cheong-rae's lightning-fast pace. It highlighted that the promise of "completing prosecutorial reform before Chuseok (October 6)" could effectively be fulfilled for its ardent supporters.

Regarding the dinner meeting with President Lee the previous day, Party Leader Jeong stated at the National Assembly, "The party and the presidential office have agreed to pass the Government Organization Act, which includes the abolition of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the establishment of the Prosecutor's Office and the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, within September." He added, "The party expressed gratitude for President Lee's decision."

He emphasized, "As promised, we will do our best to deliver the good news to the public on their Chuseok return journey news that 'the Supreme Prosecutors' Office has been abolished' and 'the Supreme Prosecutors' Office has disappeared into history.'"

Jeong's remarks are interpreted as emphasizing the fulfillment of the August 2 National Convention pledge to complete prosecutorial reform before Chuseok, a pledge that was facilitated by his dinner with President Lee.

However, concerns arose within the party as Party Leader Jeong's mention of "completing prosecutorial reform" was interpreted as completing the legislation of the four prosecutorial reform bills that the Democratic Party has been pursuing (bills to abolish the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, establish the Prosecutor's Office, establish the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, and establish the National Investigation Committee).

This was due to the reasoning that a rapid push to meet the schedule, while internal disagreements persisted on issues such as the establishment of the National Investigation Committee or the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights, could lead to backlash by causing hasty decisions and weakening the nation's investigative capabilities.

Specifically, President Lee's remarks on the 18th to Justice Minister Chung Sung-ho, "For sensitive and contentious issues, public deliberation must be undertaken. Even when speeding up, please ensure it does not become hasty," led to public expressions within the National Assembly that "legislation before Chuseok is a political message."

Deputy Floor Leader Moon Jin-seok stated the previous day, "The completion of (prosecutorial reform legislation) before Chuseok is intended to present the framework to the public before Chuseok. Actual legislative completion may require more time."

In response, party spokesperson Moon Dae-rim stated on the same day that "the party leader has the will to move forward without hesitation to keep his promise before Chuseok," which further increased confusion.

In this regard, Party Leader Jeong stated today, "Until the legal conclusion, I ask that the government, party, and presidential office demonstrate a united front as 'one team, one voice' not only on prosecutorial reform but also on (other matters)," thereby preventing further confusion.

The Democratic Party, using this opportunity to reorganize its forces, has begun to tighten its grip again by announcing its intention to pass the Government Organization Act, which separates prosecutorial investigation and prosecution by abolishing the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and establishing the Prosecutor's Office and the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, at the plenary session on September 25.

Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae, floor leader Kim Byung-ki, and other party leaders, along with newly appointed Justice Committee Chair Chu Mi-ae and the party's special committee chair for prosecutorial reform, Rep. Min Hyung-bae, reviewed the progress of discussions on prosecutorial reform at the National Assembly in the afternoon, taking advantage of Chu's election as chair.

Floor leader Kim told reporters after the meeting, "We have confirmed that we should not hear that there are unintentional missteps. As this is uncharted territory, we must proceed quickly and minimize any potential trial-and-error, and there must be no hasty decisions," he reiterated.

Voices of relief were heard within the party as the confusion surrounding prosecutorial reform was resolved early.

Rep. Park Beom-kye, a former Justice Minister, stated on CBS radio today, "As the President, who is responsible for government operations, ordered careful consideration to avoid any mistakes in legislation, he made a 'one-team resolution' with the leadership led by Party Leader Jeong, who advocates for rapid progress." He assessed that "speed and detail have been well harmonized."

Former Rep. Park Yong-jin also said, "The party and the government were not saying different things, but I was concerned that the discord was starting to be noticed as it was interpreted as missteps, but it was well resolved by yesterday's dinner. It was a perfect agreement."

Rep. Chu Mi-ae and Party Leader Jeong Cheong-rae Exchange Greetings (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Park Dong-ju = On August 21, at the plenary session of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Democratic Party lawmaker Chu Mi-ae, who was elected chair of the Justice Committee, exchanges greetings with Party Leader Jeong Cheong-rae as she leaves the plenary session hall. 2025.8.21 pdj6635@yna.co.kr

Following the passage of the Government Organization Act on September 25, the Democratic Party plans to further enhance completeness by meticulously discussing follow-up tasks such as the National Investigation Committee and the issue of the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights.

Rep. Min Hyung-bae stated on Facebook, "For major contentious issues, we will conduct public opinion surveys and polls, analyze online opinions, and hold forums. We will fully embrace the will of the citizens to achieve genuine prosecutorial reform. We will proceed uprightly while moving quickly and carefully."

Rep. Kim Yong-min, the ruling party's spokesperson for the Justice Committee, said, "The Government Organization Act and the four prosecutorial reform bills are inseparable. To support the amendment of the Government Organization Act, the Justice Committee will systematically proceed with necessary procedures such as legislative hearings for the four prosecutorial reform bills." Yonhap News