Intentional Leak of Investigative Information... Ministry of Justice: "Prosecutor's Human Rights Officer Conducting Internal Inquiry"

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] If intentional leaks of investigation information are suspected during a prosecution investigation, a plan is being promoted to allow human rights protection officers at each prosecution office to initiate an internal investigation. Earlier, Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, announced plans to revise the public relations guidelines, citing concerns over the prosecution's 'leakage of investigation status.'

According to the legal community on the 5th, the Ministry of Justice is preparing a revision of the directive titled 'Regulations on Prohibition of Disclosure of Criminal Cases, etc.' and is collecting opinions from frontline agencies such as the prosecution, media, and related organizations.

The core of the revision is that if there is reason to suspect that someone other than the public relations officer intentionally leaked investigation information, the human rights protection officer will handle it as an internal investigation case. This also applies when prosecutors or investigators intentionally leak essential details of a case, and there is a significant possibility that the rights of the parties involved to receive a fair trial may be infringed.

In cases where complaints about malicious disclosure of suspect facts are filed, the human rights protection officer will be able to conduct a fact-finding investigation. However, if false reports actually exist or if it is clear that false reports will occur considering requests for coverage, disclosure of suspect facts will be permitted to promptly correct the facts.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice plans to collect frontline opinions by the 9th and finalize the draft reflecting them.