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Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 1998
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CHAPTER VI. STATE ORGAN

SECTION 7. THE PUBLIC PROSECUTORS OFFICE AND THE COURT

Article 147.
Investigation and prosecution are conducted by the Central Public Prosecutors Office, the Public Prosecutors Offices of the province (or municipality directly under central authority), city (or district) and county and the Special Public Prosecutors Office.

Article 148.
The term of office of the Prosecutor General of the Central Public Prosecutors Office is the same as that of the Supreme People's Assembly.

Article 149.
Public prosecutors are appointed or removed by the Central Public Prosecutors Office.

Article 150.
The functions of the Public Prosecutors Office are to:

  1. ensure the strict observance of State laws by institutions, enterprises, organizations and by citizens;
  2. ensure that the decisions and directives of State bodies conform with the Constitution, the laws and ordinances, decisions of the Supreme People's Assembly, the decisions and orders of the National Defence Commission, the decrees, decisions and directives of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, and with the decisions and directives of the Cabinet;
  3. expose and institute legal proceedings against criminals and offenders in order to protect the State power of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the socialist system, the property of the State and social, cooperative organizations and personal rights as guaranteed by the Constitution and the people's lives and property.

Article 151.
Investigation and prosecution are conducted under the unified direction of the Central Public Prosecutors Office, and all Public Prosecutors Offices are subordinate to their higher offices and the Central Public Prosecutors Office.

Article 152.
The Central Public Prosecutors Office is accountable to the Supreme People's Assembly and to the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly when the Supreme People's Assembly is not in session.

Article 153.
Justice is administered by the Central Court, the Court of the province (or municipality directly under central authority), the People's Court and the Special Court.

Verdicts are delivered in the name of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Article 154.
The term of office of the Chief Justice of the Central Court is the same as that of the Supreme People's Assembly.

The term of office of Judges and People's Assessors of the Central Court, the Court of the province (or municipality directly under central authority) and the People's Court is the same as that of the People's Assembly at the corresponding level.

Article 155.
The Chairman and Judges of the Special Court are appointed or removed by the Central Court.

The People's Assessors of the Special Court are elected by soldiers of the unit concerned or by employees at their meetings.

Article 156.
The functions of the Court are to:

  1. protect through judicial procedure the State power and the socialist system established in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the property of the State and social, cooperative organizations, personal rights as guaranteed by the Constitution, and the lives and property of citizens;
  2. ensure that all institutions, enterprises, organizations and citizens abide strictly by State laws and staunchly combat class enemies and all law-breakers;
  3. give judgements and findings with regard to property and conduct notarial work.

Article 157.
Justice is administered by a Court consisting of one Judge and two People's Assessors.

In special cases there may be three Judges.

Article 158.
Court cases are heard in public and the accused is guaranteed the right of defence.
Hearings may be closed to the public as stipulated by law.

Article 159.
Judicial proceedings are conducted in the Korean language.

Foreign citizens may use their own language during court proceedings.

Article 160.
In administering justice, the Court is independent, and judicial proceedings are carried out in strict accordance with the law.

Article 161.
The Central Court is the highest judicial organ of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The Central Court supervises the judicial activities of all the Courts.

Article 162.
The Central Court is accountable to the Supreme People's Assembly and to the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly when the Supreme People's Assembly is not in session.