Judge Jeong Kyung-shim Cancels Witness Adoption of Han In-seop, Director of the Criminal Policy Research Institute

Director Han's Court Statement "Refused to Testify as Suspect"
Prosecution Withdraws Application Following Defense Counsel's Agreement to Testimony Record

Han In-seop, President of the Korea Institute of Criminology and Justice
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] On the afternoon of the 2nd, Han Inseop, Director of the Criminal Policy Research Institute, appeared as a witness at the trial of Professor Jeong Gyeongshim of Dongyang University but exercised his right to refuse testimony. The court canceled the decision to adopt Han as a witness.

At the continuation trial of Professor Jeong held at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25-2 (Presiding Judge Im Jeongyeop), the prosecution withdrew its witness application for Director Han. The court accepted this, and Han returned home about 40 minutes after his appearance.

Director Han is suspected of being involved in the issuance of internship certificates at the Seoul National University Public Interest Human Rights Law Center for the children of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and his wife. During the investigation of the Cho family, he appeared before the prosecution and was questioned regarding this matter. After two sessions in September and November last year, his status was changed from a witness to a suspect.

The prosecution had previously submitted Han’s statement as evidence during the trial. However, since Professor Jeong’s side did not agree to use it as evidence, the prosecution applied for Han to appear as a witness.

Han was summoned as a witness to Professor Jeong’s trial on May 14 but did not comply. The court imposed a fine of 5 million won and summoned him again as a witness on this day. However, Han refused to testify, citing his status as a suspect. Under current law, a witness may refuse to testify if there is a risk of criminal prosecution based on their court testimony.

Han stated, "The prosecution initially summoned me as a witness but then changed my status to that of a suspect, and even after half a year since the investigation concluded, I remain a suspect." He added, "It seems they intend to collect my court testimony while leaving my suspect status unresolved to decide whether to file charges later." He also appealed, saying, "In reality, if you displease the prosecutor, you are too easily changed to a suspect. In such a psychologically pressured state, it is difficult to testify honestly without hiding or adding anything."

The court briefly suspended the trial and entered into deliberation. Then, it asked the prosecution for its opinion on canceling the witness adoption. The prosecution responded, "Since Professor Jeong’s side agreed to Han’s statement, we withdraw the witness application." They added, "We regret this because we expected that the witness examination would sufficiently clarify issues related to the International Human Rights Law Center."

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