Ruling and Opposition Clash Over Prosecution Reform

Mar 20, 2026, 08:31 am

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Lawmakers attend a plenary session at the National Assembly on March 19 as rival parties clash over prosecution reform bills. / Lee Byung-hwa

South Korea’s ruling and opposition parties clashed on March 19 over legislation to establish a new investigation agency and prosecution office, marking a major showdown over judicial reform.

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea pushed forward with bills to create a Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and a separate Prosecution Office, aiming to dismantle what it described as the prosecution’s long-standing monopoly on power.

Party leader Jung Cheong-rae said during a lawmakers’ meeting that “the era of politically driven prosecutors, who acted as servants of power, must come to an end,” adding that the legislation represents the final step in curbing prosecutorial overreach.

Rep. Kim Yong-min also told the National Assembly that “today marks the abolition of the politically tainted prosecution, recorded as a history of disgrace.” The party argues that prosecutors have abused authority by monopolizing powers such as initiating investigations, directing probes, closing cases, and handling warrants. Under the proposed system, prosecutors would retain only indictment and trial functions.

The ruling bloc plans to pass the bills after ending a filibuster through a vote on March 20. Floor leader Han Byung-do said, “We will complete the prosecution reform legislation without disruption,” adding that it would “end 78 years of politically influenced prosecution and usher in an era of popular sovereignty.”

The main opposition People Power Party strongly opposed the bills, calling them “two major evil laws that destroy the prosecution.” The party urged President Lee Jae-myung to exercise his veto power.

PPP leader Jang Dong-hyuk criticized the legislation, saying, “Even the minimal safeguards in the government’s original proposal have been completely removed,” and warned that “this prosecution reform under the Lee administration has resulted in the worst possible outcome.”

Floor leader Song Eon-seok also condemned the move as “a reckless legislative push that could collapse the nation’s judicial system,” calling it “a project to create a world for criminals.”

Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun argued that while the reform appears to distribute authority, it would in fact create “a massive investigative monster,” adding that the removal of prosecutors’ warrant authority and oversight mechanisms would ultimately harm the public.

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