Justice minister slammed for pushing to force suspects to disclose phone password
Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae looks at material ahead of a meeting at the National Assembly, Friday. / Yonhap
By Jun Ji-hye
Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae is facing harsh criticism for ordering ministry officials to push for the establishment of a law forcing suspects to disclose the password for their mobile phones.
Civic groups including Lawyers for a Democratic Society (LDS) claimed Friday that Choo's order went against the Constitution that guarantees the right of people under criminal investigation not to incriminate themselves.
The minister issued the order the previous day when she criticized senior prosecutor Han Dong-hoon who is being investigated over allegations of collusion with Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae.
Lee and Han were suspected of colluding to pressure a jailed businessman to divulge incriminating information about a liberal political commentator.
“The suspect (Han) is disrupting the investigation by refusing to disclose his mobile phone password,” Choo said.
The LDS asked Choo to withdraw the order as it infringes on a suspect's right to defense and privilege against self-incrimination.
“Choo should also make a public apology about her ignorance of the people's basic human rights,” it said in a statement.
The People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy joined the criticism, saying, “The Ministry of Justice should stop pushing to establish such an anti-humanitarian law that runs counter to prosecutorial reform.”