86% of Police Officers Negative About Introducing Autonomous Police...Criticism of Hasty Legislation on 'Unified Model'

Assemblyman Seo Beom-su Surveys 9,825 People
Preference for Dual Model Over Unification
Strong Calls to Block Assignment of General Administrative Tasks

Se Beom-su, member of the People Power Party.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] A survey revealed that 9 out of 10 frontline police officers view the 'unified model' of the autonomous police system promoted by the ruling party and government negatively.

According to a survey conducted by Seo Beom-su, a member of the People Power Party, from the 2nd to the 5th of this month targeting 9,825 police officers belonging to the Police Workplace Council, 86.3% opposed the introduction of the autonomous police system. Seo disclosed this information at the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee plenary session on the 10th, stating, "There is a very high level of criticism even within the police."

Additionally, frontline police officers responded that the dual model, which separates the national and autonomous police as previously discussed, is appropriate (64.8%). Only 13.6% supported the current unified model, which keeps the national police organization intact but separates administrative and command authority.

Regarding concerns or areas needing improvement with the introduction of the unified model, the highest proportion (48.1%) cited "blocking the possibility of imposing general administrative tasks due to changes in command and supervision authority." This was followed by clarifying the ambiguity in the division of national, autonomous, and investigative duties (27.8%), and expanding incentives for autonomous police tasks (11.3%).

Seo stated, "Introducing a unified model opposed even within the police for a significant decision that affects all citizens and changes the foundation of the Korean police is a hasty legislation focused merely on superficial institutional introduction," adding, "Listening to the voices of the public and the police internally should be prioritized."

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