Five-term lawmaker Park Ji-won calls for exceptions to prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers

Five-term Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Park Ji-won said Wednesday that while he had previously opposed giving prosecutors supplementary investigation powers outright, he had since revised his position, arguing that prosecutors should retain such powers in cases involving vulnerable groups — including youth, women and people with disabilities.

Park made the remarks during an interview on YTN Radio's "Jang Seong-cheol's News Myeongdang" Wednesday morning, citing the Jang Yun-gi case in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province.

He said that at a preliminary meeting of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, he had argued that "it is not our intentions that matter, but what the public thinks — particularly since women's groups and Minbyun are also opposed, and they have a point." Park added that supplementary investigation powers "should be limited to helping the vulnerable" and called for an exceptions clause to be written into the legislation.

He also said the president had urged deliberation on the matter, and that Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho had repeatedly indicated at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee that the legislation should move in that direction. "I told the meeting that the time has come for us to accept this," Park said.

On the mood within the party, Park said he believed it was shifting toward including an exceptions clause and that "things will change significantly." He attributed the shift to public opinion.