Prosecution Extends COVID-19 Emergency Measures Including 'Summon Restraint'... Courts Fully Resume Major Trials

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] The prosecution's emergency measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), such as 'refraining from summons investigations,' will be extended.

On the other hand, major trials in courts at all levels are scheduled to begin in earnest from next week. However, courts in the Daegu region, which has suffered the most significant damage due to the COVID-19 situation, plan to hold trials somewhat restrictively through a 'rotational cross-sitting' system.

According to the prosecution on the 20th, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office has instructed local offices to continue extending special directives currently in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including ▲minimizing summons investigations ▲refraining from events with many participants ▲postponing courthouse tour programs.

A prosecution official stated, "Since the related situation has not been effectively resolved, we have decided to extend and implement the emergency measures until further instructions are given."

Previously, Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol issued a 'Special Directive for COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Spread Control' to prosecution offices nationwide on the 21st, outlining these measures.

Currently, the prosecution conducts face-to-face investigations of suspects or witnesses only after checking for abnormal symptoms in special cases, such as when the statute of limitations is imminent or when it is deemed unavoidable for the progress of the investigation.

Meanwhile, most courts will resume major trials in earnest from next week after special recesses.

However, the Daegu High Court, Daegu District Court, and Daegu Family Court will temporarily implement a 'rotational cross-sitting' system, where each court's trial divisions alternate every two weeks, from the 23rd of this month to the 17th of next month.

A Supreme Court official said, "Considering the need to guarantee the public's right to a trial, we do not uniformly recommend additional recesses, but courts at all levels are independently establishing and implementing various measures to prevent COVID-19 infections."