[New Year's Address] Inogong Acting Minister of Justice "We Must Establish the Awareness That Involvement with Drugs Leads to Ruin"

"Significant Progress Needed in Crime Victim Protection and Support Policies"

Acting Minister of Justice Ino Gong evaluated that he has "done his best throughout this year to realize the rule of law based on justice and common sense."

Acting Minister of Justice Inogong. / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

In his New Year's address on the 31st, the acting minister stated, "There were many meaningful moments when we could be a source of strength and comfort to the people," adding, "We implemented various measures aligned with two policy directions: strong crackdowns and punishments, as well as strengthening treatment and rehabilitation, to respond to drug crimes that have penetrated into the daily lives of citizens. We also pushed for the establishment of ‘life imprisonment without parole,’ ‘public intimidation crime,’ and ‘carrying weapons in public places’ to counter abnormal motive violent crimes."

He continued, "We amended the Stalking Punishment Act to allow the attachment of electronic tracking devices to stalkers and enacted a special law to photograph and disclose ‘mugshots’ of serious criminals to alleviate public anxiety even a little. Regarding jeonse fraud that destroys the lives of ordinary people and youth, we thoroughly punished the masterminds behind it and devoted ourselves to supporting victims through the enactment of the Jeonse Fraud Victims Act and legal assistance," he added.

The acting minister emphasized that next year, when the Yoon Seok-yeol administration enters its third year, is the time for the Ministry of Justice to reap the fruits of its major policies.

He stated, "Let us firmly establish the perception that once you get involved with drugs, it leads to ruin. We will strengthen cooperation with domestic and international related agencies to intensify crackdowns on drug smuggling and distribution crimes, enhance crime information capabilities, and modernize investigative equipment to further improve our response to drug crimes. We will also expand the ‘judicial-treatment-rehabilitation linkage model for drug offenders’ and ensure no negligence in treatment and rehabilitation by expanding correctional facilities dedicated to drug offender rehabilitation."

The acting minister also stressed that significant progress must be made next year in policies protecting and supporting crime victims.

He said, "Victims should be able to obtain the defendant’s trial records to guarantee their procedural rights during investigations and trials. Not only sexual violence victims but also victims of serious crimes such as murder should be able to receive assistance from court-appointed lawyers. I ask that thorough preparations be made so that professional personnel from various institutions supporting victims can provide the best solutions through the easiest procedures centered on the ‘One-Stop Solution Center for Crime Victims,’ which will be established for the first time in Seoul in July next year."

Furthermore, the acting minister emphasized fair law enforcement and strict response to corruption in relation to the 22nd National Assembly elections scheduled for April next year.