Jinyoung: "Sufficient Police Control Mechanisms... Police Reform Bill Must Be Processed Quickly"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is shaking hands with Minister of the Interior and Safety Jin Young during the announcement of the "Follow-up Measures for Power Institution Reform Plan" for a fair society without privilege at the Government Seoul Office on the 31st.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Minister of the Interior and Safety Jin Young emphasized that sufficient investigative control measures over the police have been established, as primary investigative authority is granted to the police and the installation of the autonomous police system and the National Investigation Headquarters (Guksubon) is being promoted as a power decentralization device.

On the 31st, at a joint briefing on the "Follow-up Plan for Power Institution Reform" held at the Government Seoul Office with Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, Minister Jin stated, "The establishment of the National Investigation Headquarters, the autonomous police system, and the reform of the intelligence police are the most important parts of police reform."

Minister Jin said, "Even if the police have the National Investigation Headquarters, there are several devices to prevent abuse," adding, "From the warrant request stage, there are about ten control measures that the prosecution can exercise, such as the right to request supplementary investigations, and there are various control devices within the National Investigation Headquarters itself." He continued, "We will take measures to ensure that the National Investigation Headquarters maintains investigative expertise and that investigative capabilities do not decline."

Regarding the reform of the intelligence police, he explained, "We have already reduced the intelligence police by more than 10%," and added, "The most important thing is the limitation of their work scope." Currently, a bill has been proposed in the National Assembly to restrict the information that the intelligence police can collect to parts that threaten public safety.

There are also plans to expand the pilot operation areas of the autonomous police system. Minister Jin said, "Initially, we planned to pilot in five regions including Seoul, Sejong, and Jeju, but as more regions have expressed interest, the number will increase by two to three."

In particular, Minister Jin emphasized that related bills currently pending in the National Assembly for promoting police reform must be passed promptly. He said, "We are making efforts to have the Integrated Police Act passed in February and are preparing on the assumption that it will be passed."

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