[Police, Must Change]<3>Between the People and the Power's Baton... The 'Depoliticization' on Trial

Introduction of 2-Year Term for Police Chiefs in 2003
7 out of 11 Did Not Complete Their Terms
Lee and Park Governments' Ahn Cheong-soo and Kang Shin-myung Criticized for Protecting Regimes

Core Task of Police Reform: 'Depoliticization'
Discussion on Controlling Police Policy Through an Independent and Neutral Police Commission
Urgent Need for Self-Initiated Change

On the 24th, newly appointed Police Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong paid respects at the Seoul Dongjak-gu National Cemetery and left a message in the guestbook. Commissioner Kim wrote in the guestbook, "I will make Korea the safest country and create a police force that is respected and loved." / Photo by the National Police Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The introduction of the two-year term system for the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency was during the Roh Moo-hyun administration in 2003. Until the inauguration of the new Commissioner General Kim Chang-ryong on the 24th, a total of 11 people held the top police position over 17 years. However, only four commissioners, including former Commissioner Min Gap-ryong who stepped down yesterday, have completed their full terms.

The rest were either dismissed or resigned midway. Examples include former Commissioner Cho Hyun-oh, who resigned in 2012 taking responsibility for inadequate measures in the 'Oh Won-chun case,' and former Commissioner Heo Jun-young, who was dismissed due to the deaths of two farmers during the suppression of the National Farmers' Rally in 2005. It is also common for commissioners to leave office following a change in administration. Former Commissioner Kim Ki-yong, appointed during the Lee Myung-bak administration, did not complete his term after the Park Geun-hye government took office. Notably, during this period, the police were investigating allegations of sexual bribery at the villa of former Deputy Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui, but after the leadership was replaced, the entire command line was purged, sparking controversy over demotion-based personnel changes.

This ultimately means that appointments to the top police leadership are heavily influenced by the ruling government. Past commissioners themselves were not free from political bias controversies. Former Commissioner Eo Cheong-soo, the first police chief of this administration, was criticized for leading the installation of the so-called 'Myungbak Fortress' to protect the regime and eventually resigned after 11 months taking responsibility for the Yongsan tragedy. Former Commissioner Kang Shin-myung, who completed his term, was arrested last year on charges of involvement in political interference and illegal surveillance by the intelligence police during the Park administration and is currently on bail awaiting trial without detention.

Political bias controversies in the police have continuously arisen under every administration. The structure in which the ruling government’s influence inevitably affects personnel appointments fundamentally undermines police neutrality. Even Commissioner Kim faced criticism of being a 'political appointee' during the parliamentary confirmation hearings.

The so-called 'Myeongbak Fortress' erected in Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul, in 2008 to block protesters' march. The Myeongbak Fortress was an idea of former Commissioner Auh Cheong-su, the first Commissioner of the National Police Agency under the Lee Myung-bak administration, and is regarded as a symbolic structure representing the police's protection of the regime. / Asia Economy DB

Therefore, the core task of police reform being discussed is the 'depoliticization' of the police. To escape external pressure, ensure democratic control, and achieve the original purpose of protecting the people and maintaining public order, securing political neutrality is essential. Especially with the introduction of the autonomous police system, the possibility of local government heads influencing the appointment of autonomous police chiefs increases. This is why establishing control mechanisms that exclude political influence is considered a top priority.

The currently discussed measure is the actualization of the Police Commission. This involves an independent and neutral Police Commission composed of external members to oversee police policies. Professor Park Byung-wook of Jeju National University’s Department of Public Administration said, "Compared to parliamentary oversight, the Police Commission offers a more focused, specialized, and democratic form of control," and suggested, "The National Assembly should have the right to recommend members of the Police Commission, and the Police Commission should be granted authority to restrict the National Police Agency if it violates matters reviewed and decided by the commission."

However, fundamentally, it is urgent for the police themselves to change for the sake of their core value: protecting the socially vulnerable and ensuring public safety. On the occasion of the June 10 Democratic Uprising anniversary this year, the National Police Agency announced the 'Police Officers' Human Rights Action Code,' consisting of 10 articles. This code sets the behavioral standards police must observe to protect human rights during their duties. At this critical crossroads, the police face a significant choice: whether to become a true 'people’s cane' that looks to the citizens or a 'power’s cane' that serves the regime.

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