Seoul Bar Association Signs MOU with Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to Create a Human-Rights-Friendly Investigative Environment

Strengthening the Right to Assistance of Counsel and Operating an Investigative Agency "Hotline"

Seoul Bar Association (President Jo Sunyeol) announced on the 26th that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to enhance the fairness of criminal justice procedures and strengthen the protection of citizens' human rights.

The Seoul Bar Association (President Cho Sunyeol) announced on the 26th that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to enhance the fairness of criminal justice procedures and strengthen the protection of citizens' human rights. Seoul Bar Association

This memorandum of understanding was prepared to effectively guarantee citizens' right to assistance of counsel during police investigations, which are the first stage of criminal justice procedures, and to create a human-rights-friendly and fair investigative environment.

Under this agreement, the two institutions decided to cooperate in various areas, including: establishing a citizen-centered, comprehensive, and specialized environment for investigations and legal counseling; forming a regional pool of cooperating police attorneys and recommending members for committees; providing educational support to strengthen the capabilities of investigative officers and recommending outstanding investigators; and offering legal advice related to the official duties of police officers.

In particular, the two sides plan to expand the existing evaluation method for judicial police officers from simply making scores public to operating it as a "communication channel" that gathers opinions on how to improve investigative systems and reflects views from the field from the perspective of outside experts. Through this, they aim to enhance public trust in the fairness of police investigations and in compliance with due process.

In addition, the two institutions will operate a "hotline" to respond quickly to inquiries from members of the Seoul Bar Association. They also plan to actively utilize the regional pool of cooperating police attorneys to provide advice to investigation civil-complaint counseling centers and to support activities of various committees, so that citizens can receive professional and comprehensive investigative and legal services.

An official from the Seoul Bar Association stated, "By working closely with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, we will take the lead in guaranteeing citizens' fundamental rights and establishing a fair criminal justice system."

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