Safeguards for victims essential

Hardliners within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) have made it clear that they have no intention of backing down from their plan to pass a bill stripping prosecutors of their authority to supervise police investigations in criminal cases.

Rep.

Seo Young-kyo, chair of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, dismissed the possibility of revising the bill, vowing to push it through without modification.

"Prosecutors should focus on indictment, while the police should devote themselves to investigations.

The two sides must work together and strengthen their cooperation," Seo said during a news conference at the National Assembly on Sunday.

Seo and other DPK hardliners should slow their push for the amendment.

They need to listen to concerns raised by opponents within their own party and work with them to devise stronger safeguards for victims.

The current bill leaves considerable room for police abuse of power.

If enacted, the police would have sole authority over criminal investigations.

They could delay investigations long after victims file complaints or de ...