Prosecutors Blindslide Publics Right
Prosecutors have decided to provide written briefings about important cases.
The decision is expected to trigger controversy about whether it will adequately address the public's right to know.
The decision dates back to the prosecution's investigation into a scandal involving the late former President Roh Moo-hyun. At that time, the prosecutors were in hot water for leaking information in order to add momentum to their investigations.
Afterward, an ad-hoc committee was set up to find ways of minimizing the abuse of prosecutors' power to investigate.
However, the decision to adopt a written briefing as a main channel of communication with reporters is raising questions about its ultimate purpose. Some critics say that a written briefing would certainly block further questioning about dubious points of the briefing, leaving larger room for a cover-up.
At the same time, questions are being raised over another prosecution decision that will reveal the full identity of officials at a level above deputy minister, when they are involved in a case of corruption.
In addition, prosecution guidelines about "photo lines" are facing criticism because they leave prosecutors to decide who will be photographed. "This guideline smacks of an attempt on the side of prosecutors to avoid public scrutiny," one critic said.