Prosecutors' Office Investigation Advisory Group Discusses Improvement Plan for 'Case Transfer Request Authority'

Kim Jin-wook, Chief of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HCIC) advisory panel discussed improvement measures for 'Article 24, Paragraph 1 of the HCIC Act,' which the Yoon Seok-yeol administration has decided to abolish.

On the afternoon of the 31st, the HCIC held the 3rd advisory panel meeting (headed by former Daegu District Prosecutor Park Yoonhae) at the Government Complex Gwacheon, reporting on the legislative intent and issues of the relevant provision.

Article 24, Paragraph 1 of the HCIC Act stipulates that when the prosecution or police conduct overlapping investigations with the HCIC, the HCIC may request the transfer of the case, and in such cases, the relevant investigative agency must hand over the case. The Yoon Seok-yeol administration has stated that this provision is a 'toxic clause' granting investigative priority to the HCIC and has announced plans to abolish it.

Advisory panel members who received the HCIC's report reportedly presented various opinions, including discussions on the necessity of retaining this provision and improvement plans for establishing fair and objective criteria for case transfers. An HCIC official said, "We plan to gather diverse external opinions to establish effective standards and procedures."

The HCIC advisory panel, an external expert body, deliberates on the appropriateness and legality of investigations into cases that raise public suspicion or attract social attention, as well as advisory matters necessary for human rights-friendly investigations.

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