Ministry of Justice and Prosecution Jointly Form Human Rights-Centered Investigation TF "Paradigm Shift"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office have jointly formed task forces (TFs) to significantly shift the paradigm of prosecutorial investigations toward 'human rights protection' and have begun working on institutional improvements.

This move is interpreted as a continuation of prosecutorial reform centered on human rights, in light of recent allegations surrounding the former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook case, which have brought long-standing issues in investigative practices into sharp focus.

On the 16th, the Ministry of Justice launched the 'Human Rights Investigation System Improvement TF,' led by Prosecutor General Jo Nam-gwan. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office also announced the formation of the 'Human Rights-Centered Investigation TF' on the same day.

The Ministry of Justice's Human Rights Investigation System Improvement TF plans to comprehensively review existing investigative practices, focusing on four key areas: unnecessary repeated summons of detainees and other case-related persons; improper inducement or pressure such as separate investigations; disclosure of investigative facts; and repetitive and indiscriminate searches and seizures.

They will also examine how well frontline prosecution offices are implementing the 'Human Rights Protection Investigation Rules' and the 'Regulations on Prohibition of Disclosure of Criminal Cases,' both enacted last year with the goal of protecting human rights.

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office's Human Rights-Centered Investigation TF will review measures introduced since last year to improve investigative practices, such as restrictions on late-night and prolonged interrogations and guarantees of the right to defense.

Based on controversies surrounding investigative practices over the past decade, the TF will select inspection tasks and develop improvement plans to report to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Human Rights Committee.

The TF is organized under the Human Rights Committee into subcommittees by field: reform measures, general investigations, compulsory investigations, and digital investigations. Professor Lee Sang-won of Seoul National University Law School, a member of the Human Rights Committee, and Acting Head of the Human Rights Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Prosecutor Noh Jeong-hwan, serve as co-team leaders. The team includes the heads of policy planning and human rights planning at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, one law professor, and three lawyers.

Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae urged, "Please make this a turning point for a paradigm shift toward human rights investigations so that the public can feel that this year is the inaugural year of human rights investigations."

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office stated in a press release, "We will make a major paradigm shift in prosecutorial work toward human rights protection within the new criminal justice system following amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act and establish a human rights-centered investigative culture."

The two TF working groups held a meeting at the Ministry of Justice on the 12th to share progress. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office TF will focus on frontline inspections, while the Ministry of Justice TF will concentrate on institutional improvements, regularly meeting to exchange opinions.

The Ministry of Justice plans to hold a nationwide workshop for human rights and inspection prosecutors next month and establish procedures to gather public opinions, aiming to develop measures that the public can feel by August.

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