By Khalida Sarwari
South Korea is in the process of reforming its criminal justice system and one model they would like to emulate is that of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.
Starting this year, up to two South Korean prosecutors will serve as law clerks at the district attorney’s office to observe and learn the legal systems of the United States. The prosecutors will then return to their country to share their knowledge and experience with other prosecutors at the Ministry of Justice.
Korea is working to create a modern criminal justice system based on what they believe to be the best aspects of systems used in the U.S. and in other countries around the world.
One change under consideration is the adoption of a hybrid jury trial system, which bears resemblance to the method used in the U.S., a decision that officials will have to make in 2013.
The current jury trial system in Korea is composed of five to nine members of the public that is presided by a three-judge panel and used only for serious crimes, such as those involving sexual assaults and homicides.
Ikhwan Kown, a South Korean Ministry of Justice official and District Attorney Jeff Rosen signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” Wednesday to begin the clerkships.
“We’re honored, and frankly humbled, that the Korean justice system will make modifications based on our criminal justice system,” Rosen said.
He said the program would also be gainful for local prosecutors because it will help remind them about the various aspects of the American criminal justice system.