피해자가 겪은 일은 피해자의 것이다 [세상읽기]

On May 5th, 100 days after disappearing, Jeon Myeong-rae was found in a field in Haenim-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Island. This is the story of how the victim experienced such a terrible fate. As the heat became unbearable, this woman faced her own death and physical suffering. We can only hope for peace in her final moments. The question remains, what did she go through?

Everyone should know, but some do not. When there is a death or disappearance, violent incidents or those presumed to be such, anyone can seek help from the police. In this case, the police were shocked when the officer on duty declared the suspect contacted after receiving the first report of the incident, changing their status from "missing" to "not missing" in the police's computer system.

The officer stated that there was no record of communication between the victim and the police. The police explained that they had begun to change the system, which allowed a single officer to input reasons for "changing" without approval from a superior. However, the family of Jeon Myeong-rae, who reported her disappearance again in July, distributed a public notice on August 19th, including her photo, name, age, appearance, contact information, and the place of disappearance.

They shared everything they knew because they wanted to find her. Amidst the painful time that passed, there were numerous media reports. On May 23rd, the family of the victim spoke to a news outlet. "Newspapers know more than the journalists," they said. "We asked the police responsible for the case about the location data and the time of the investigation, but they said that the investigation details were confidential and could not be disclosed to us."

Frustrating. If the last known location and time of the victim were revealed to their families, could the investigation become impossible? Does it corrupt the investigation and the search for the truth? After being missing for over half a decade, the families of those who remain missing cannot bear the day-to-day life, where every day feels like a century.

Why should these families keep everything to themselves? If only the families need to know, perhaps some cautionary information could be added. There is no rational explanation for this. Why do they share information with journalists one by one while keeping it secret from the families of the victims? "It's a matter of the investigation's confidentiality."

This has been the police's response for a long time. Even in cases of violence, physical harm, or death, the victim may not fully understand what happened. In such moments, when all citizens appeal to the police, the investigative authorities lock away the collected facts in "confidentiality." Even in cases of sexual violence, this issue is all too common.

Until the victim knows the facts, they will remain in a state of confusion. This is why the victim's firsthand experience of the crime is crucial. Second, it is a record that cannot be altered or distorted. Third, the police have only the information they initially gathered. In addition to the current concerns, they must manage the issue of excluding the victim from the information.

By October 2nd, the police will allow victims of cases being closed due to lack of evidence to request investigation records and transcripts. This is due to the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act, which guarantee the right to investigate. However, the police are not obligated to provide any records. The investigative records should not only confirm the facts but also include the defendant's statements, key confessions, and the police's reasoning and opinions.

Regardless of the purpose of the request for review, the victim should be informed of facts that could affect their future. The victim's own experience is their own.