By Kang Hyun-kyung
The Supreme Court said Friday that it plans to allow witnesses to testify without revealing their identities as part of witness protection programs.
It said it will push for the legislation for the introduction of the "anonymous testimony" system in criminal trials.
Judges will decide whether to permit it or not after reviewing various factors including the defendant's rights to know, credibility of the witness and whether the witness's statement is the only, primary evidence.
If the anonymous testimony system is introduced, a witness can testify out of the court room via a camera.
Some legal experts, however, voiced concerns, saying court testimony on conditions of anonymity might infringe upon the defendants' rights to receive a fair trial.
Under the Constitution, all criminal defendants have the right to receive an open trial and all deliberations and court rulings must be open to the public.
For these reasons, experts say it remains to be seen whether the Supreme Court's plan to introduce witness anonymity will go smoothly or not in the legislature.
The Supreme Court said Friday that it plans to allow witnesses to testify without revealing their identities as part of witness protection programs.
It said it will push for the legislation for the introduction of the "anonymous testimony" system in criminal trials.
Judges will decide whether to permit it or not after reviewing various factors including the defendant's rights to know, credibility of the witness and whether the witness's statement is the only, primary evidence.
If the anonymous testimony system is introduced, a witness can testify out of the court room via a camera.
Some legal experts, however, voiced concerns, saying court testimony on conditions of anonymity might infringe upon the defendants' rights to receive a fair trial.
Under the Constitution, all criminal defendants have the right to receive an open trial and all deliberations and court rulings must be open to the public.
For these reasons, experts say it remains to be seen whether the Supreme Court's plan to introduce witness anonymity will go smoothly or not in the legislature.
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