President Lee Jae Myung Strips Investigative Powers From Prosecutors

President Lee Jae Myung implemented a sweeping overhaul of the South Korean criminal justice system on Friday, stripping prosecutors of their investigative powers. Under the revised law, investigative authority shifts to the police, while prosecutors remain responsible for deciding whether cases proceed to trial.

Lee accused prosecutors of abusing their authority, specifically citing criminal cases brought against him before he assumed the presidency. He stated that the reform is intended to ensure that the powers entrusted to investigative and prosecutorial authorities to protect victims and human rights are not used for "politically motivated investigations and prosecutions."

Lee vowed to make these systemic changes irreversible to prevent future abuses of power within the legal system.