Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Mobilize All Efforts to Secure Investigative Capacity to Fill Gap Left by Prosecutors' Investigative Directive Abolishment

Ahead of the implementation of the revised Criminal Procedure Law, the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit held an 'integrity declaration' at Gyeonggi Provincial Government on the 10th to strengthen the integrity of investigators. This integrity declaration targeting Special Judicial Police investigators is the first among special judicial police units in all metropolitan local governments nationwide.

On the day, approximately 120 investigators pledged through an oath to commit to △fair and transparent performance of duties according to law and principles △prohibition of acceptance of improper benefits such as money, entertainment, and convenience and abuse of authority △thorough protection of case information and personal information learned in the course of investigation △prohibition of private relationships such as personal connections, blood relations, and regional ties from interfering in investigations △reporting upon recognition of improper investigation directives or misconduct △compliance with principles of due process and human rights protection.

This declaration was prepared in a situation where the responsibilities and roles of special judicial police are expanding with the implementation of the revised Criminal Procedure Law, which takes effect from the 2nd of next month and has as its main content the abolishment of prosecutors' investigative directive authority. It was conducted along with anti-corruption and ethics education to enhance investigators' understanding of law and to establish a fair and responsible investigation culture.

Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit plans to mandate completion of customized ethics, anti-corruption, and integrity education for investigators and conduct regular education to establish integrity consciousness as organizational culture in light of this integrity declaration.

Furthermore, it will strengthen investigative capacity in line with the changed criminal justice environment and establish a special judicial police system with expertise and responsibility through continuous legal and ethics education.

Kim Gyu-sik, director of Gyeonggi Province's Safety Management Office, said, "The expertise and responsibility demanded of special judicial police are becoming more important than ever," and added, "In light of this integrity declaration, we will do our best to further strengthen the fair and trusted investigation system and become a special judicial police unit that citizens can trust."