Use of Force by Correctional Officers Allowed for Refusal to Execute Warrants
"We Must Prevent Yoon Sukyeol's Defiance of Legal Order"
A bill known as the "Yoon Sukyeol Arrest Act," which would allow correctional officers to use force if an inmate refuses to comply with the execution of a warrant, has been proposed.
On August 7, Min Hyungbae, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Gwangsan-eul, Gwangju), introduced a bill to amend the Act on the Execution of Sentences and Treatment of Inmates. The main provision of the bill would allow correctional officers to use force if a detainee refuses to comply with a court-issued warrant without a valid reason.
This amendment is intended to address institutional loopholes that were exposed in the recent case involving former President Yoon Sukyeol.
Former President Yoon, who was detained on charges including insurrection, refused to comply with the court's arrest warrant and declined to be transferred to the interrogation room, resulting in an unprecedented delay in the special prosecutor's investigation.
Under current law, correctional officers are only permitted to use force in cases of escape, self-harm, property damage, or harm to others.
As a result, there has been criticism that there is virtually no way to respond if an inmate refuses to comply with the execution of a warrant.
The proposed amendment would add refusal to comply with duties based on a judge-issued warrant, without a valid reason, as grounds for the use of force by correctional officers.
The purpose is to prevent situations in which court decisions are rendered ineffective and to ensure the effectiveness of criminal investigations.
Min Hyungbae, who introduced the bill, stated, "The incident in which suspect Yoon Sukyeol refused to comply with the execution of a warrant is not a personal deviation, but a direct challenge to legal order and judicial justice," adding, "Through this amendment, we will ensure that the criminal justice process operates without disruption and restore public trust in law enforcement."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
