South Korea's ruling Democratic Party has formally adopted a policy to strip the prosecution of its direct investigative rights, marking a significant step toward restructuring the country's legal and judicial processes.
The party approved the revision to the Criminal Procedure Act as its official line on Friday, aiming to transfer investigative authority away from prosecutors to other agencies, likely the police or specialized independent bodies.
This development represents a long-sought reform by the Democratic Party, which has historically criticized the concentration of power within the prosecution service.
The move is expected to face scrutiny from opposition parties and legal experts who argue that such changes could complicate ongoing investigations and alter the balance of power in Seoul's political landscape.
For investors and business leaders, the shift raises questions about the future of corporate crime investigations and regulatory enforcement.
A weakened prosecution service may lead to changes in how white-collar crimes, corruption cases, and market manipulation are handled, potentially affecting the risk profile for companies operating in South Korea.