President Yoon's cabinet approves law ending prosecutor‑led probes

Seoul, 4 August – The cabinet, led by President Lee Jae‑myung, gave its endorsement to a recently passed judicial reform bill that effectively ends the practice of prosecutors conducting their own investigations. The amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, cleared by the National Assembly last week despite a boycott by the People Power Party, will now be law.

Under the revised framework, the police will take charge of most investigative work in criminal matters, while prosecutors will concentrate on case preparation and courtroom representation. Lee described the shift as a “judicial normalisation” effort, intended to bring balance and fairness to South Korea’s justice system.

Opposition leaders contend the reform weakens oversight mechanisms and have urged the president to veto the measure. Lee rejected the criticism, insisting the goal is to delineate responsibilities rather than diminish any authority.

He pointed to a pattern over recent decades where prosecutors expanded their powers beyond merely filing charges, sometimes influencing investigations for personal or political gain. The new law is positioned as a step toward a more modern, accountable, and transparent legal structure.