Customs Officers Warned Against Information Leak
By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
The National Human Rights Commission said Wednesday that disclosure of an individual's private information during the customs clearance constitutes an infringement of human rights.
``Customs officials are responsible for keeping secret an individual's private information obtained while on duty. Even if the information was leaked by accident, it amounts to a human rights infringement,'' it said.
The decision came in the wake of a petition filed with the commission last September by a man in his late 20s with a drug-related criminal history.
In the complaint, the man, identified as Lee, claimed his relationship with colleagues was completely disrupted after a customs officer at Gimpo International Airport leaked his criminal record to his boss, who had been standing next to him during a luggage search.
``With Lee complaining about the search, the boss questioned the customs staff over the reason for the search. In response, the officer informed the boss of Lee's criminal history,'' the commission said.
Gimpo Customs Office said those with a criminal history have frequently become the target of luggage searches to prevent possible smuggling. At that time, the officer claimed, informing his boss about his background was inevitable in order for him to understand the situation.
``After my criminal history was disclosed to my colleagues, I found my human networks crippled,'' Lee told The Korea Times. He quit the company in November. ``I consider filing a suit against Gimpo Customs Office and the customs staff who revealed the information.''
The watchdog called on the customs office to educate its staff on the issue and put measures in place to prevent a repeat.