The Ministry of Justice has established the Prosecutorial Human Rights Respect Committee to investigate allegations of human rights violations and abuse of power within the prosecution. The committee has selected seven cases, including the North Korean remittance scandal involving Ssangbangwool, as its initial focus.
On June 10, the Ministry inaugurated the committee and presented appointment letters to its seven members. The committee is composed of lawyers and professors with experience and expertise in prosecutorial matters, including lawyer Jang Joo-young (17th Judicial Research and Training Institute).
The committee will investigate selected cases of alleged human rights violations and abuse of prosecutorial power. It will also recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future and facilitate victim recovery.
During its first meeting following the inauguration, the committee identified its initial investigation targets. The seven cases recommended for investigation include the Ssangbangwool North Korean remittance case, the Daejang-dong case, the incident involving former Democratic Research Institute Deputy Director Kim Yong, the Wirye New Town case, the shooting of a public official in the West Sea, the statistics manipulation case, and the false reporting allegations regarding 'defamation of Yoon Seok-yeol.' The committee has requested Minister Jeong Seong-ho to establish an independent investigative body within the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.
Minister Jeong stated, "To create a better future, the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution must identify past mistakes, uncover the truth, and engage in genuine reflection. The Ministry will do its utmost to ensure that the committee maintains its independence and neutrality while carrying out its activities."
The Ministry plans to clarify the facts through the investigative body to be established at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, and additional cases may be selected for investigation in the future.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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