공인탐정제도의 필요성에 관한 연구

Abstract

Modern society is changing into a highly-advanced society that pursues convergences of heterogeneous fields along with developments of state-of-the-art science technology and info-communication. Now, such a convergence in human society is regarded as quite a normal and irresistible social phenomenon that people take for granted. Such a convergence of heterogeneous individuals with different characteristics from each other brings convenience and abundance into many different fields. On the other hand, it brings about adverse effects, so-called social problems, such as loss of humanity and social unrest caused by various kinds of crimes increasing. To solve various kinds of crimes in the front lines more effectively, police manpower and budget keep being reinforced and increased, but they are still far from sufficiency, compared to the crime rate recently growing.
 As an alternative, some private detective activities have been legalized even in Korea, but due to the ambiguity of regulations and the lack of management and supervision, illegal or covert private detective activities frequently take place, further invading people’s privacy.
 As the introduction of a certified private detective system is postponed, problems are expected as follows. In advance of introducing such a system, the term, ‘private detective’, is already being used more freely, leading to the establishment of private detective offices in somewhat legalized forms. In reality, however, illegal private detective agencies and messenger offices in covert forms will still provide lots of illegal private detective services as they have done so far. It is expected that even after legalization, illegal private detective services will keep being provided outside the system, and major incidents like Lee seok-joon’s murder will take place as well.
 Some cases from abroad clearly show that when a private detective system is certified and reasonably operated, it brings about many positive effects, such as creating new jobs. With the introduction of a certified private detective system, therefore, it is necessary to legalize the existing covert-form private detective agencies and messenger offices, and establish institutional frameworks so that these private detective agencies and messenger offices can be properly managed and supervised at the government level.
 Overall, this study aimed to clarify the necessity of introducing a certified private detective system and suggest reasonable management plans at a policy level.