Most Wiretaps and Confiscation Allowed

Korean courts grant 99 percent of wiretap requests and 92 percent of confiscation requests made by prosecutors, a ruling party member disclosed. Representative Cho Soon-hyung of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party, in his inspection of the Seoul Circuit Courts, found that only 3 wiretap requests have been denied this year.

The courts were also liberal in their handling of confiscation permits, primarily used for tracing bank accounts. Mr. Cho said he believes the prosecution often requests confiscation permits they don't necessarily need. He said the courts should work to check any ulterior motives that prosecutors may have.

Rep. Choi Yeon-hee of the opposition Grand National Party pointed out that the court issued about 32,000 indictments since August last year but only 6,496 arrest warrants. He added that law enforcement agencies continue to regard suspects as criminals instead of regarding them as innocent until proven guilty. He said arrest warrants serve to ensure the rights of the accused.

"The reason why there are more indictments than arrest warrants is because the legal requirements for issuing arrest warrants are greater than those for indictments," said Park Young-moo, chief justice of the Seoul District Court.

by Choi Hyeon-chul