Ahead of the enforcement of the amended Criminal Procedure Act centered on abolishing prosecutors' investigative authority, the Police Investigation Reform Committee for Enhancing Public Trust (the committee) decided to review concerns raised by organizations supporting sexual violence victims as tasks for institutional improvement.
The committee held a meeting with the Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center Council on the 6th and heard their views. Chairperson Kim Nam-joon of the committee met with reporters after the meeting and said, "This Criminal Procedure Act amendment contains a considerable amount of content that supplements victims' procedural rights," but added, "What I felt during today's meeting is that issues that should have been resolved long ago are not being resolved in the field."
According to the committee, organizations supporting sexual violence victims conveyed concerns that investigations of sexual violence cases could be delayed or poorly conducted. They also pointed out a shortage of investigators specializing in women and juvenile crimes, and that the presence of a trusted person—such as a representative from a sexual violence victim support organization—during investigations is not proceeding smoothly.
Concerns were also raised regarding additional amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act. For the so-called "seven major crimes"—child abuse, domestic violence, sex crimes, sex crimes against children, stalking, abuse of persons with disabilities, and elder abuse—an amendment is being pursued that would require police to refer all cases to prosecutors even if they determine no charges are warranted.
However, organizations supporting sexual violence victims conveyed the view that simply sending all cases to prosecutors does not guarantee victim protection. The point is that prosecutors can make proper judgments only when thorough investigations are conducted by police, including victims receiving assistance from counsel from the initial statement stage.
Based on the views expressed at the meeting, the committee and the Korean National Police Agency plan to reflect them in recommendations to improve the investigative system. The next meeting, to be held on the 10th, will focus on protecting crime victims as a key agenda item.
Chairperson Kim said, "We will work with the Korean National Police Agency to ensure that the proposals raised by victim support organizations are substantively reflected in investigative practice."