On July.15th, 2022, Professor Lee Siang-won from Seoul National University School of Law gave a lecture named "Where to go? The Latest Trend of Criminal Justice Reform in Korea" online. The lecture was not only the first Nankai Law School "Overseas Cloud Lecture" but also the second Nankai Litigation Law Forum. The lecture was hosted by Professor Yang Wenge of Nankai University. Dean of Nankai University Law School Professor Song Hualin attended and gave a welcome speech. Associate Professor Du Lei from Renmin University of China Law School, Associate Professor Zhu Tonghui and Associate Professor Gao Tong who are both from Nankai University Law School were the panelists. In total, more than 80 teachers and students participated in the lecture.
Prof. Lee Siang-won pointed out that the core of Korea's criminal justice reform is mainly related the following aspects. First, the establishment of the Senior Public Officials Crime Investigation Division. Second, the direct investigation power of the prosecutor's office was significantly restricted. Third, it limits the prosecutor's investigative command before the case is referred for review. Fourth, the police were given the power to end investigations.
Then, Prof. Lee introduced the evolution of the Korean criminal justice system. He divides the changes into four main periods, including the period of forming the foundation of human rights protection orientation (1945-1972), the period of criminal procedure system dominated by the crime control model (1972-1987), the transitional period of switching from the crime control model to the human rights protection model (1987-2007), and the period of embodying the current human rights protection-oriented procedural model (2007-). Professor Lee considered that in the course of the actual operation of the judicial system, the judiciary staff are inevitably subject to errors in judgment.
Prof. Lee finally suggested that the purpose of legislative reform should be to safeguard the rights of the people. Leading by the concept of people's supremacy, criminal investigation activities should be supervised throughout the whole process, and focusing on collaboration with other organizations.
In the commentary session, Associate Professor Du Lei hoped that China and South Korea could carry out a deeper exchange on how to protect the rights of the citizens. Associate Professor Zhu Tonghui and Prof. Lee had an extended discussion on the legal forensics of electronic data. Associate Professor Gao Tong introduced the background of the lecture and hoped to have further academic exchanges and cooperation with Prof. Lee in the future.
At last, Professor Yang Wenge summarized the lecture and expressed his thanks to Professor Lee Siang-won and the other participants again. After three hours of presentation and discussion, the lecture came to an end and the participants were deeply inspired and benefited a lot.
