Readers’ VOICE

On naming suspects ...

Trial by press is unacceptable for people who are just suspects. It could be argued that the West is wrong, as we have a duty to protect the identities of people ― there is a right to privacy in many countries, even if only in common law.

As well, it is a moral problem; we could potentially destroy a person’s character by not protecting their identity. The press will gladly report a story of a person being suspected, charged, etc., but it’s not as equally newsworthy to report on a person being released from custody.

― Brian Arundel, Seoul, via Facebook

Whether a criminal should be named in the public interest or not becomes an issue whenever a barbaric crime takes place.

Also in academic fields such as law, views are divergent on this problem.

I also don’t have certain view and think that, depending on the situation, it must be different.

Let me introduce both side’s opinions.

The “yes” side insists that as criminal suspects are named, many people know who is involved in the crime. As a result of doing so, additional crimes can be prevented.

That is suspects should be named if it is in the public interest.

The “no” side insists that the person should be treated as innocent until proven guilty. Korea’s Constitution prescribes that all people’s fundamental rights must be preserved.

To make matters worse is the damage to his or her family.

No one can sit in judgment over who is right or wrong.

However if a brutal criminal suspect is arrested, the face should be made public as additional crimes can be prevented.

But if the possibility of a second conviction is not high, we must be careful because human rights abuses are extremely serious.

― So Kyung-suu, Seoul