ID :
52264
Wed, 03/25/2009 - 19:29
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/52264
The shortlink copeid
Gov`t moves to allow disclosure of suspect IDs in violent crimes
SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- Seeking to fight a rise in murder, rape and other
violent crimes, the government on Wednesday announced a draft revision of the
criminal law that would allow local media to publish photos of suspects and other
personal information.
The revision, posted on the Web site of the Justice Ministry, would remove
restrictions barring media from releasing a criminal suspect's photo, name or
age, if the allegations are sufficiently backed by confessions or some form of
hard evidence, such as DNA.
The government and the ruling Grand National Party have been pushing to revise
the current law on the protection of criminal suspects' privacy since the nation
was stunned by the arrest of serial killer Kang Ho-sun, who confessed to having
murdered eight women in suburban areas south of Seoul over the past four years.
Kang's image was made public after two conservative newspapers in Seoul published
photos of him, citing concerns for public safety and the people's right to know.
The decision immediately triggered a heated debate on the line between individual
and public rights.
Under the revision, a suspect's identity may only be disclosed for the "public
interest" or to aid investigations if the case involves murder, rape, the
kidnapping of minors or robbery.
"In certain cases, other rights may precede the right of privacy, which may be
restricted for the sake of public interest," the ministry said.
Opponents of the plan, however, warn that the bill infringes upon suspects' basic
rights and their entitlement to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty
in court.
"The move, which could allow indiscriminate revealing of private information, is
very inadvisable and overrides the basic principles that uphold the criminal
law," said Park Geun-yong, head of the judiciary supervisory team at the People's
Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, a Seoul-based group of civic activists.
The number of reported murder cases in South Korea reached 1,124 in 2007, up 11
percent from 2003, according to the ministry. Reported rape cases surged 31.5
percent during the same period.
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)
violent crimes, the government on Wednesday announced a draft revision of the
criminal law that would allow local media to publish photos of suspects and other
personal information.
The revision, posted on the Web site of the Justice Ministry, would remove
restrictions barring media from releasing a criminal suspect's photo, name or
age, if the allegations are sufficiently backed by confessions or some form of
hard evidence, such as DNA.
The government and the ruling Grand National Party have been pushing to revise
the current law on the protection of criminal suspects' privacy since the nation
was stunned by the arrest of serial killer Kang Ho-sun, who confessed to having
murdered eight women in suburban areas south of Seoul over the past four years.
Kang's image was made public after two conservative newspapers in Seoul published
photos of him, citing concerns for public safety and the people's right to know.
The decision immediately triggered a heated debate on the line between individual
and public rights.
Under the revision, a suspect's identity may only be disclosed for the "public
interest" or to aid investigations if the case involves murder, rape, the
kidnapping of minors or robbery.
"In certain cases, other rights may precede the right of privacy, which may be
restricted for the sake of public interest," the ministry said.
Opponents of the plan, however, warn that the bill infringes upon suspects' basic
rights and their entitlement to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty
in court.
"The move, which could allow indiscriminate revealing of private information, is
very inadvisable and overrides the basic principles that uphold the criminal
law," said Park Geun-yong, head of the judiciary supervisory team at the People's
Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, a Seoul-based group of civic activists.
The number of reported murder cases in South Korea reached 1,124 in 2007, up 11
percent from 2003, according to the ministry. Reported rape cases surged 31.5
percent during the same period.
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)
