South Korea's ruling party advances bill to strip prosecution of investigative powers

The legislative move marks a significant escalation in the Democratic Party's push to restructure the country's legal framework, potentially impacting corporate governance and regulatory oversight.

By Handelsavisen Newsroom · Automated 2026-07-30 00:15 UTC · 1 min read Last updated: 2026-07-30 07:57 UTC

South Korea's ruling Democratic Party (DP) has formally introduced a bill at a parliamentary plenary session that would eliminate the prosecution's direct investigative rights.

The proposal represents a decisive step in the party's long-standing effort to overhaul the nation's judicial processes and redistribute investigative authority.

The legislation aims to transfer the bulk of investigative powers from the prosecution to the police and other specialized agencies, a move that proponents argue will enhance checks and balances within the legal system.

However, the shift also raises questions about the implications for corporate investigations and regulatory enforcement, areas where the prosecution has traditionally played a central role.

This development follows the DP's earlier adoption of a policy to strip the prosecution of its direct investigative rights, signaling a sustained commitment to judicial reform.

The bill's introduction at the plenary session underscores the party's determination to advance the agenda despite potential opposition from conservative lawmakers and legal professionals who favor the status quo.