Lawyer Group Urges Chu Mi-ae to Withdraw 'Mobile Phone Password Disclosure Law' and Files Complaint (Comprehensive)

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae. / Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporters Baek Kyunghwan and Cho Seongpil] The Korean Bar Association (President Lee Chanhee) demanded on the 16th that Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae immediately withdraw the proposed 'Suspect Mobile Phone Password Disclosure Bill.'

In a statement released that day, the Bar Association expressed serious concern over the situation where the Minister of Justice, who has the duty to uphold constitutional values, is pushing for the enactment of the 'Forced Mobile Phone Password Unlocking Law,' which contradicts the Constitution. They stated, "The Minister must immediately withdraw actions that violate the Constitution." The Bar Association argued that the bill Minister Choo intends to enact seriously infringes on the constitutionally guaranteed principles of the right against self-incrimination, the right to refuse to testify, and the suspect's right to defense. They also rebutted the justification based on the UK's Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), stating, "Even in the UK, it has faced much criticism due to concerns over violations of citizens' fundamental rights and risks of abuse."

Meanwhile, the conservative lawyer group 'Lawyers for Human Rights and Unification of Korea' (Hanbyeon) filed a complaint with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the same day, accusing Minister Choo of abuse of authority. Hanbyeon stated, "Forcing the unlocking of mobile phone passwords and imposing sanctions if not complied with infringes on the constitutional right to refuse to testify," and regarding the inspection order related to the indictment of Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jung and the exercise of investigative control over the Lime Asset Management and allegations involving Prosecutor General Yoon's family, they said, "We cannot help but suspect illegality of purpose."

Earlier, Minister Choo had instructed that the investigation teams of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office and the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office independently investigate the misconduct cases involving ruling and opposition politicians and prosecutors related to the Lime Asset Management case, and only report the results to the Prosecutor General. On the 12th of this month, she instructed to review legislation that would enforce compliance and impose sanctions if mobile phone passwords are maliciously concealed to obstruct investigations.

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