출처 미소명 재산의 몰수에 관한 연구 - 2024년 유럽연합 지침의 국내법상 시사점- = A Study on the Confiscation of Unexplained Wealth: Implications of the 2024 EU Directive for Korean Law

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The European Union recently introduced the ‘Confiscation of unexplained wealth’ through Directive (EU) 2024/1260. This measure allows for the confiscation of assets linked to criminal activities if the owner cannot demonstrate their legitimate origin. While similar provisions for presuming criminal proceeds exist in South Korean law, such as in the Act on the Prevention of Illegal Trafficking in Narcotics, these provisions are rarely utilised. This paper analyses the key aspects of the EU Directive 2024/1260 and examines the reasons for the low practical application of relevant provisions in South Korea. By reviewing legislative examples from countries like Singapore, France and Colombia, it explores potential solutions to overcome the limitations of the current confiscation system.
In conclusion, to effectively recover the proceeds of organised crime, it is urgent to move beyond the additional character of confiscation. This necessitates the urgent introduction of an independent confiscation procedure that does not require a conviction for a specific criminal act.