Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho has reported significant achievements in combating serious crimes that threaten public safety during his first year in office, including the recovery of approximately 380 billion won in criminal proceeds and the repatriation of 135 fugitives.
On July 19, the Ministry of Justice stated that it has focused its policy efforts on ensuring the daily safety of citizens and revitalizing the national economy.
The ministry explained that it concentrated its investigative resources on three major types of serious crimes that threaten public safety: voice phishing, financial and virtual asset crimes, and drug offenses.
Specifically, the Eastern District Prosecutor's Office's Voice Phishing Crime Joint Investigation Team has apprehended a total of 471 individuals and arrested 169 from July of last year to May of this year. Compared to the previous three years, the average number of cases filed per month increased by 87%, and the number of arrests rose by 66.7%.
The Southern District Prosecutor's Office's Financial and Virtual Asset Crime Joint Investigation Team also filed cases against 304 individuals involved in financial, securities, and virtual asset crimes and arrested 25 from June of last year to May of this year. As a result, they secured the recovery of criminal proceeds amounting to 381.4 billion won.
The Joint Investigation Team for Drug Crimes, established in the Suwon District Prosecutor's Office, has filed a total of 264 cases, including eight drug organizations, and arrested 125 key figures as of last month.
In the first half of this year, 135 fugitives, including a romance scam couple, the so-called 'drug kingpin of the Philippines' Park Wang-yeol, and leaders of overseas hacking organizations, were forcibly repatriated to South Korea. This figure is a significant increase from 180 repatriations in 2024, with 135 occurring in just the first half of this year.
The ministry also highlighted its achievements related to drug offenders. By expanding rehabilitation programs, the recidivism rate for drug offenders has decreased by 15.9 percentage points over the past five years. Additionally, to prevent recidivism through treatment and rehabilitation, the ministry established 13 dedicated rehabilitation units for drug offenders within correctional facilities and secured 61 specialized personnel for drug rehabilitation.
During Minister Jeong's tenure, 38 public safety and welfare bills were passed in the National Assembly, marking a 65% increase compared to the same period last year. The Ministry of Justice stated, "This is the highest achievement among all government ministries, establishing the status of a 'working Ministry of Justice.'"
The ministry has also made progress in practical legal administration to support economic revitalization, ensuring the protection of vulnerable populations, and innovating legal practices to address past issues while looking toward the future.
Minister Jeong Seong-ho stated, "Over the past year, I have focused the center of legal administration on a 'Ministry of Justice that works for the people' and a 'Ministry of Justice that grows for public safety and welfare,' seeking answers in the field. I have laid the groundwork to elevate South Korea's rule of law paradigm, from healing the wounds of state violence to responding to international investment disputes, designing advanced immigration and foreigner policies, and alleviating overcrowding in correctional facilities."
On July 19, the Ministry of Justice stated that it has focused its policy efforts on ensuring the daily safety of citizens and revitalizing the national economy.
The ministry explained that it concentrated its investigative resources on three major types of serious crimes that threaten public safety: voice phishing, financial and virtual asset crimes, and drug offenses.
Specifically, the Eastern District Prosecutor's Office's Voice Phishing Crime Joint Investigation Team has apprehended a total of 471 individuals and arrested 169 from July of last year to May of this year. Compared to the previous three years, the average number of cases filed per month increased by 87%, and the number of arrests rose by 66.7%.
The Southern District Prosecutor's Office's Financial and Virtual Asset Crime Joint Investigation Team also filed cases against 304 individuals involved in financial, securities, and virtual asset crimes and arrested 25 from June of last year to May of this year. As a result, they secured the recovery of criminal proceeds amounting to 381.4 billion won.
The Joint Investigation Team for Drug Crimes, established in the Suwon District Prosecutor's Office, has filed a total of 264 cases, including eight drug organizations, and arrested 125 key figures as of last month.
In the first half of this year, 135 fugitives, including a romance scam couple, the so-called 'drug kingpin of the Philippines' Park Wang-yeol, and leaders of overseas hacking organizations, were forcibly repatriated to South Korea. This figure is a significant increase from 180 repatriations in 2024, with 135 occurring in just the first half of this year.
The ministry also highlighted its achievements related to drug offenders. By expanding rehabilitation programs, the recidivism rate for drug offenders has decreased by 15.9 percentage points over the past five years. Additionally, to prevent recidivism through treatment and rehabilitation, the ministry established 13 dedicated rehabilitation units for drug offenders within correctional facilities and secured 61 specialized personnel for drug rehabilitation.
During Minister Jeong's tenure, 38 public safety and welfare bills were passed in the National Assembly, marking a 65% increase compared to the same period last year. The Ministry of Justice stated, "This is the highest achievement among all government ministries, establishing the status of a 'working Ministry of Justice.'"
The ministry has also made progress in practical legal administration to support economic revitalization, ensuring the protection of vulnerable populations, and innovating legal practices to address past issues while looking toward the future.
Minister Jeong Seong-ho stated, "Over the past year, I have focused the center of legal administration on a 'Ministry of Justice that works for the people' and a 'Ministry of Justice that grows for public safety and welfare,' seeking answers in the field. I have laid the groundwork to elevate South Korea's rule of law paradigm, from healing the wounds of state violence to responding to international investment disputes, designing advanced immigration and foreigner policies, and alleviating overcrowding in correctional facilities."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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