Police Launch 'Responsible Investigation Promotion Headquarters' as Follow-up Measure to Investigation Authority Adjustment

The main building of the National Police Agency located in Migeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] The police are launching the 'Responsible Investigation Promotion Headquarters' dedicated to coordinating the adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and the police. This is the first follow-up measure after the amendment of the Criminal Procedure Act, which centers on the adjustment of investigative authority. As the prosecution's investigative authority is significantly reduced and concerns about the 'dinosaur police' arise, attention is focused on whether the police can carry out 'self-reform.'

According to the police on the 17th, the National Police Agency will establish the 'Responsible Investigation Promotion Headquarters' and the 'Responsible Investigation Task Force,' which will be responsible for enacting enforcement ordinances following the amendment of the Criminal Procedure Act and promoting the National Investigation Headquarters to decentralize police power. A simultaneous plaque unveiling ceremony will be held nationwide on the 21st. To enhance expertise following the expansion of investigative authority, the police will also create a new position called 'Responsible Investigation Supervisor,' who will oversee and coordinate investigations of important cases, and introduce an investigative command competency evaluation system. Additionally, a Police Case Review Citizens Committee will be established as a self-check mechanism against abuse of investigative authority.

This series of measures is a response from the police to concerns about the excessive concentration of police power. However, bills related to the 'National Investigation Headquarters' and the 'Autonomous Police System,' which are key means to check the police, are still pending in the National Assembly. Considering that both ruling and opposition parties are entering candidate selection processes for the general election and other political schedules, it seems unlikely that the National Assembly will handle these bills anytime soon.

On the other hand, efforts to expand police authority are accelerating. On the 15th, during the 'National Police Command Video Conference,' the police officially stated that "it is necessary to delete the prosecutor's constitutional right to request warrants." It is also known that the police are considering creating a large-scale investigative organization called the 'Metropolitan Investigation Unit' under the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency by integrating the existing Metropolitan Investigation Team and the Intelligent Crime Investigation Team, as well as establishing Anti-Corruption Crime Investigation and Financial Crime Investigation units.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.