2월 28일 (토) Debate Starts Over Serial Killer's Human Rights

[Nios(임규철)]

Debate Starts Over Serial Killer's Human Rights

The controversial disclosure of serial killer Kang Ho-soon's picture in the media has created a controversy over human rights and the public's right to know.
Kang, 38, who was arrested on suspicion of murdering a female student, confessed to killing another six women in southwestern Gyeonggi Province, Friday.
Officers took Kang to police stations and the crime scenes dressed in a cap and mask in order to protect his identity ― designed to protect his human rights, as recommended by the National Human Rights Commission in 2005.
But several newspapers and broadcasters released a mug shot of Kang Saturday, claiming the public's right to know is more important than a suspected felon's human rights.
The photo has quickly spread on the Internet, and the release has led to a hot debate about whether the disclosure was proper.

In many advanced nations, the media disclose the names and photos of felons. On Jan. 29, the New York Times published photos of five teenagers who were suspected of slaying an Ecuadorian immigrant. In 2006, French media disclosed photos of a woman who was arrested for killing her two infant children when she lived in Seoul. Last June, Japanese media showed the face of a man in his 20s who killed seven people in Tokyo.
 

Opinion

``We have an `innocent until proven guilty' principle. It is not something the media can ignore at their discretion. What everybody wants is not always justice.''

``Family members of a suspect will suffer from criticism and mental pain if the suspect's face is released only because he or she is a brutal criminal. Kang has three sons. Even though Kang committed unforgivable crimes, it is not right that his family comes in for criticism.''

``Can we call a person who killed others without guilt a human? Protecting a criminal's human rights is less important than protecting the human rights of victims and their families,''

``Some cite `innocent until proven guilty.' But the court ruling is not the only way of deciding guilt. If a person in a community commits a brutal act that the community cannot accept, it is guilt,''

Q) Which one is more important between protecting a felon’s human rights and preventing crimes which can happen in the future?

Q) Which one is the best way to punish murders?

Q) Do you agree with the death penalty?