Investigation Authority Adjustment and Launch of Officers' Association... Police Major Shift in Second Half

Amendment to Criminal Procedure Act Possible in August
Abolition of Prosecutor's Investigation Command Rights... Horizontal Cooperation Between Police and Prosecutors
'Public Officials' Labor Union Act' Also Enforced on 11th
Foundation for Democratic Organizational Management Established

Police officers are on duty in front of the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police will face a major turning point in the second half of this year. The investigative authority adjustment bill (amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act), which abolishes the prosecutor's right to direct investigations and defines the relationship between the police and prosecutors as a 'cooperative relationship,' will be implemented, and the Police Workplace Council (Jikhyup), which will serve as a foundation for democratic organizational management, will be officially launched. This is why the police's actions in the second half, facing both internal and external changes, are drawing attention.

According to the National Police Agency on the 2nd, there is a high possibility that the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which includes the investigative authority adjustment, will be officially implemented in the second half of the year. This bill, which was processed through the 'Fast Track' in the 20th National Assembly, was officially promulgated on February 4. The bill stipulates that it shall be enforced within one year from the date determined by the Presidential Decree after six months have passed since the promulgation. Since the investigative authority adjustment is a representative pledge of the Moon Jae-in administration, it is expected to be implemented immediately in August. Once the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act is enforced, the prosecutor's right to direct investigations will be abolished, and the relationship between judicial police officers and prosecutors will change from a vertical relationship to a 'cooperative relationship.' The police will also gain primary investigative authority and the right to conclude investigations. This significantly strengthens the role and status of the police in the investigation stage.

Significant changes are also expected internally within the police due to the launch of the Jikhyup. On the 11th, the amendment to the 'Act on the Establishment and Operation of Workplace Councils for Public Officials,' which allows the establishment of workplace councils in the police and fire departments, will be officially implemented. Although the right to collective action is not granted, the council is given minimal rights to organize and negotiate, allowing discussions with the heads of affiliated institutions on improving working conditions, enhancing work efficiency, and handling grievances. In particular, since police officers at the rank of Sergeant and below, who make up 97% of the 130,000 police officers, can participate, the Jikhyup is expected to change the vertical organizational culture within the police and serve as a channel to raise issues against unfair orders from superiors.

Amendments related to police activities such as assemblies, demonstrations, and traffic, which will be fully implemented in the second half, also draw attention. The amendment to the Assembly and Demonstration Act, which relaxes the blanket ban on outdoor assemblies and demonstrations within 100 meters of the National Assembly building, courts of all levels, and the Prime Minister's official residence, is scheduled to be promulgated and enforced this month. From November, the scope of application for children's school buses will be expanded, and the recording, storage, and submission of safe driving records will be mandatory.

In December, the amendment to the Road Traffic Act, which imposes not only administrative penalties such as demerit points and fines but also criminal penalties for driving over 80 km/h, will be enforced. If a driver is caught speeding at 100 km/h or more and reaches 'three strikes,' they may face imprisonment of up to one year. Regulations related to 'personal mobility devices,' such as electric kickboards, whose usage has recently surged, will also be enforced at the end of the year. These regulations allow operation without a license but prohibit use by children under 13 years old and impose penalties for drunk driving and other offenses similar to those for bicycles.

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