Ministry of Justice to Establish Independent External Committee to Investigate Prosecutorial Human Rights Violations and Abuse of Authority

From Case Selection to Authority to Recommend Follow-up Measures

The Ministry of Justice is set to establish a tentatively named “Committee for the Respect of Human Rights in the Prosecution's Future” to investigate and verify cases of human rights violations and abuse of authority during prosecutorial investigations and indictments.

Jung Sung-ho, Minister of Justice. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the Ministry of Justice on April 29, Sung-Ho Jeong, Minister of Justice, instructed the creation of an independent external committee that will be able to investigate incidents raising public suspicion, verify the facts, and recommend follow-up measures to the Minister.

Since September of last year, the prosecution established a Human Rights Violation Inspection Task Force at the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office to investigate allegations of human rights violations and abuse of authority by the prosecution. However, the Ministry of Justice stated that these efforts were insufficient to dispel public doubts. The Ministry explained, “In the subsequent parliamentary investigation, new facts came to light and additional allegations surfaced, leaving many members of the public with serious concerns about the legality and propriety of the investigation process at that time.”

In response, the Ministry of Justice plans to establish an independent committee composed of external members. The committee is expected to: ▲ select cases under prosecutorial investigation and indictment that have raised public suspicion as subjects for review; ▲ devise ways to organize investigative bodies that can independently review allegations related to prosecutorial work processes; and ▲ receive reports on the results of investigations and, if human rights violations or abuse of authority are confirmed, recommend follow-up measures to prevent recurrence to the Minister.

An official from the Ministry of Justice stated, “We take very seriously the criticisms and reprimands presented during the parliamentary investigation—including institutional briefings, on-site investigations, and hearings. We will systematically review and correct past prosecutorial misconduct and errors, so that the prosecution can fulfill its responsibilities as a central institution of criminal justice.”

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