Military Prosecution Becomes Powerful

By as early as 2007, ordinary military prosecution and military courts established at the divisional level will be subject to merger and abolition under the Ministry of National Defense. Military judicial police officers including the military police will receive investigation commands from military prosecution.

The Presidential Committee on Judicial Reform, a presidential advisory body, held a general meeting on July 18 and stated on July 19 that the “military judicial system reform legislative bill” containing the abovementioned was unanimously confirmed.

According to the legislative bill, for strengthened independence of military judicial organizations, ordinary military prosecution and military courts, which are operated by military units, will be subject to merger or abolition into a high military prosecution and military court under the direct control of the Ministry of National Defense and military prosecution and military courts in five regions.

In addition, the jurisdiction confirmation measure that allows commanders to mitigate sentences made in the military courts and the judicial system that allows officers to participate in trials will be abolished at normal times.

The Presidential Committee on Judicial Reform intensified the investigation control authority of the military prosecution on the military judicial police. In case the military judicial police investigate serious crimes or scandals involving high-ranking generals, it should report to the head of regional prosecution within 48 hours and receive specific investigation commands.

Sang-Ho Yun ysh1005@donga.com