Partial Disruptions in COVID-19 Prosecutor Investigations... "If Shincheonji Is Reported, Investigation Will Proceed Like Ordinary Cases"

Minimizing Summon Investigations and Team Allocation: Deliberating Self-Help Measures

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyung-min, Song Seung-yoon] The spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is expected to cause considerable disruptions to prosecutorial investigations.

According to the legal community on the 25th, the prosecution has prepared and is implementing measures such as minimizing suspect summons in response to the COVID-19 situation. These are self-help measures to protect the safety of case-related persons and prosecution staff.

As not only summons but also searches and seizures become difficult, concerns are growing about whether proper investigations will be conducted if cases of false news related to the spread of COVID-19, refusal of testing or quarantine, and other complaints arise. Accordingly, each local prosecution office is trying to find breakthroughs through 'team allocation' and other methods. For example, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office has formed a case response team under the COVID-19 response headquarters, led by Lee Chang-soo, head of the Criminal Division 2. This is a preemptive measure to respond to five major focus crimes: ▲refusal of epidemiological investigation ▲refusal of hospitalization or quarantine measures ▲false reports to government offices about infection status ▲distribution of fake news ▲illegal acts related to assemblies.

However, it is uncertain whether related investigations will proceed normally. Even if criminal facts are confirmed and investigations are conducted, if suspects or witnesses are suspected of having symptoms, it is difficult to summon them to the office due to concerns about further spread. The same applies to complaints related to Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which has been identified as the epicenter of COVID-19. Since the entire congregation is subject to a full COVID-19 survey, face-to-face investigations themselves may be difficult. A prosecution official only gave a general response, saying, "If a complaint related to Shincheonji is received, we will proceed with the investigation as usual." The prosecution plans to thoroughly verify the possibility of COVID-19 infection of the subject and take necessary measures step-by-step if summons or detention is essential.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, which commands the local prosecution offices, and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl are reportedly receiving daily reports and preparing for emergency situations. If variables such as the confirmed case of an investigator at the Daegu Western District Prosecutors' Office occur, they will immediately hold emergency meetings and respond promptly.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.