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Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a party leadership meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on September 8. / Source: Yonhap News

Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), on Monday hailed the government’s reorganization bill that calls for dismantling the Prosecutors’ Office, calling it a “turning point in power reform” that will prevent prosecutors from “reigning above the people.”

Speaking at a party leadership meeting at the National Assembly, Jung said, “For 70 years the prosecutors wielded unchecked power through their monopoly on investigation and indictment. That era is coming to an end.”

He explained that prosecutorial powers will be split: indictments will be handled by a new Prosecution Office, while investigations will fall under the Serious Crimes Investigation Office (SCIO). The two agencies will be placed under the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Interior and Safety, respectively, to ensure checks and balances.

“What matters now is execution,” Jung said. “We will ensure the government reorganization law, including prosecution reform, is passed by the end of this month. As promised, we will deliver the news of the Prosecutors’ Office’s abolition before the Chuseok holiday.”

Jung stressed that past administrations failed at prosecution reform but that “if it succeeds this time, it will be thanks to President Lee Jae-myung’s strong will and political determination.” He added, “Without President Lee’s resolve, this would have been impossible. We will press forward as one team with the government and presidential office to ensure success.”

Floor leader Kim Byung-ki echoed the message, vowing to end the era of what he called “political prosecutors who were weak before power but strong against the people.”