Hwang named vice president of world prosecutors group

Hwang Cheol-kyu

By Lee Kyung-min

Hwang Cheol-kyu, a senior prosecutor at the Ministry of Justice, has been named International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) vice president.

Appointed at the IAP Annual Conference in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates on Nov. 27, he is the only Asian among six vice presidents.

Hwang, 50, will serve a three-year term representing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

“I hope Korean prosecutors and the justice system can help fight transnational crimes and thus help raise the country’s status on the international stage,” he said.

“The main project for us is to crack down on fugitives staying overseas, and to find criminals’ hidden assets overseas and return them to the country in an effective and timely manner.”

Korea’s advanced IT technology would help to achieve do this, he said.

“Korea is famous for its IT technology, and using such technology to investigate crimes increases the conviction rate,” he said.

“I think it is another strong point that will gain international recognition.”

Hwang also plans to promote Korea’s unique legal system internationally.

“Korea’s legal system is a good combination of civil law modeling based on that of European countries, and common law after England and the U.S.,” he said. “I hope it will serve as an example for other countries.”

Hwang said he expected his new responsibility will serve him well.

“We are living in an environment where international cooperation is getting ever more important,” he said. “So far, cooperation with some Asian countries has been a success.

“But I hope I will extend further on the international stage. To do that, I will work harder. l also believe new challenges always keep me committed to what I do.”

Hwang has been an IAP executive committee member since 2011.

Established in June 1995 at the United Nations offices in Vienna, the IAP is the first and only global organization of prosecutors. Formed amid the rapid growth in serious transnational crime, the IAP specializes in fighting cyberspace crime, human trafficking, drug trafficking, money laundering, and fraud.