1The Prosecution Office Act passed, reducing prosecutors' investigative powers.
2The new law omits prosecutors' authority to command special judicial police.
3However, the Criminal Procedure Act retains it, sparking potential controversy.
📖 Easy Explanation
🔍 Background
The National Assembly recently passed the 'Prosecution Office Act' and 'Serious Crime Investigation Agency Act' to significantly reduce prosecutors' powers. The main goal is to separate investigation and indictment roles.
📌 Key Points
The new law omits prosecutors' authority to direct 'Special Judicial Police' (officials investigating specialized fields like environment or labor). Although omitted here, the existing Criminal Procedure Act still mandates prosecutorial direction, meaning this authority won't disappear completely for now.
💡 Why It Matters
There won't be immediate major changes to our daily lives. However, if confusion arises between agencies when investigating crimes closely related to our lives, like food hygiene or environmental pollution, punishment could be delayed.
🔮 What's Next
The government and the National Assembly are expected to discuss whether to completely abolish or partially retain prosecutors' command authority when revising the Criminal Procedure Act.
📚 Glossary
중수청 (Jungsucheong)A newly created agency dedicated to investigating major cases like corruption and economic crimes, replacing the prosecution's role.
공소청 (Gongsocheong)A new agency replacing the Prosecutors' Office, responsible only for indictments and trials without direct investigative powers.
특사경 (Teuksagyeong)General public officials granted police-like authority to investigate specialized fields such as environment, labor, and taxation.