Kim Seung-won, the Democratic Party of Korea's floor manager on the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, speaks at a briefing on the revised Code of Criminal Procedure held at the National Assembly on Sunday. [Yonhap]
Kim Seung-won, the Democratic Party of Korea's floor manager on the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, speaks at a briefing on the revised Code of Criminal Procedure held at the National Assembly on Sunday. [Yonhap]

Kim Seung-won, the Democratic Party of Korea's floor manager on the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, defended President Lee Jae Myung on Friday after Lee said he had not read the revised Code of Criminal Procedure. Kim argued the remark should be interpreted to mean Lee had not read "the follow-up measures and the overall picture" of the legislation.

Kim made the remarks during an appearance on YTN Radio, saying Lee "would have received briefings and likely knows the full content of the new code."

Kim added that Lee had served as party leader while Kim himself was chair of the party's legal affairs committee, and that Lee's "criminal law knowledge and expertise surpasses mine." He also noted that Lee had been subjected to extensive investigations by police and prosecutors and therefore "fully understands defense rights and procedures."

Earlier, at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Lee said: "I haven't read the revised Code of Criminal Procedure, so I'm not sure — does it say prosecutors are not allowed to conduct investigations?"

Kim also weighed in on staffing for the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, set to launch in October, saying he hoped "about 1,000 of the agency's 2,874 total staff would come from prosecutors or prosecution investigators."

"Prosecution investigators were essentially just hands and feet — subordinates with little real influence over outcomes," Kim said. "If they come to the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, it will likely operate on a team basis, opening a path for veteran investigators to conduct inquiries with greater authority of their own. I hope many of them will make that move."

Responding to concerns that investigations into those in power could become less rigorous, Kim pointed to past cases he said were buried when prosecutorial authority was concentrated in one place — including the alleged stock manipulation case involving Kim Keon Hee under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration and the dismissal of charges related to Coupang Inc. workers' severance pay. "We will make sure the public rewards and promotions are far better than they are now," he said.

Kim added that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials had been "no bigger than a single branch office," reduced to around 30 members — fewer than 50 — due to People Power Party opposition. "The Serious Crimes Investigation Agency has 2,874 people," he said. "I expect it to demonstrate investigative capacity on par with the old prosecution service."


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