청, 검찰기자단 해체 청원에 "국민 눈높이 맞게 개선" Blue House responds to petition for disbanding prosecution press corps: "Improving to meet public expectations"

Over 340,000 Participate in National Petition Criticizing Prosecutors' Press Corps... "Will Substantially Enforce Criminal Case Disclosure Ban Regulations"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The Blue House announced through its response to a public petition calling for the disbandment of the prosecution press corps that it will make improvements to meet the public's expectations.

Kang Jeong-su, head of the Blue House Digital Communication Center, stated on the 26th, "The petitioner pointed out the prosecution press corps as a 'vicious circle,' claiming that 'there is a prosecution press corps that enjoys privileges and coexists behind the omnipotent prosecution.'" A total of 343,622 citizens participated in the petition to disband the prosecution press corps.

Kang explained, "The closed nature of the prosecution press corps has been reported through the media. To join the prosecution press corps, a team of three or more reporters must have reported legal affairs articles for more than six months to apply, and after applying, they must obtain attendance and approval from two-thirds of the existing press corps members to become part of the corps."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kang said, "There is controversy over whether it is appropriate for the existing press corps to evaluate other media outlets and grant access qualifications. If there are aspects of the prosecution press corps operation that do not meet the public's right to know, improvements should be made to align with the public's expectations."

Kang added, "The government will review existing practices that have been discussed with the press corps, such as issuing access passes and the scope of press release distribution, and will consider improvement measures at the government ministry level, including making press releases and official briefings public."

Kang noted, "There have been social issues raised regarding the prosecution leaking suspect information to the media to create favorable conditions for maintaining prosecution," and explained, "The Ministry of Justice has established and is implementing regulations to reduce the disclosure of suspect information."

Kang pointed out, "Disclosure of suspect information refers to the act of personnel working in investigative agencies such as the prosecution and police informing the public or unspecified many through the media of suspect information learned during their duties before indictment. Although punishable under Article 126 of the Criminal Act, disclosure of suspect information has been customarily practiced."

Kang added, "In 2019, the Ministry of Justice enacted the ‘Regulations on Prohibition of Disclosure of Criminal Case Information’ to harmoniously protect the human rights of those involved in cases and the public's right to know. We will further supplement these regulations to ensure they are effectively operated as intended."

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