Seoul: A parliamentary subcommittee on Thursday passed a bill aimed at dismantling the prosecution service and stripping the finance ministry of its budget planning power. If approved at the National Assembly, the prosecution will essentially lose its power to initiate criminal investigations, retaining only its role in legal proceedings against criminal charges.
According to Yonhap News Agency, during a subcommittee meeting of the Public Administration and Security Committee, lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party pushed the bill through, despite objections from the main opposition People Power Party. Critics have raised concerns that the prosecution wields excessive authority, as it can both initiate criminal investigations and indict suspects.
The legislation also proposes to separate the Ministry of Economy and Finance into two distinct entities: one focusing on budget management and the other on economic and policy oversight. The bill is anticipated to be put to a full vote during a plenary session next Thursday, following its approval at the committee’s meeting on Monday and subsequent review by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.