People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy: "NIS and Police Reform Start Strong but End Weak... Difficult to Expect Substantial Change"

On the afternoon of the 9th, the National Assembly plenary session passed the comprehensive revision bill of the Police Act.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) issued a statement on the 10th, criticizing, "The Democratic Party of Korea's reforms of the National Intelligence Service and the police ultimately ended in a disappointing manner."

At the National Assembly plenary session held the previous day, a full revision of the Police Act, centered on the introduction of the autonomous police system and the establishment of the National Investigation Headquarters, was passed. The full revision of the National Intelligence Service Act, which transfers the authority for counterintelligence investigations to the police, is also pending approval.

However, PSPD stated, "It is questionable whether the goals of reducing the powers of intelligence agencies and establishing checks and balances among them have been achieved," adding, "Although they may claim to have processed reform bills, it is difficult to bring about substantial changes in the powers of these agencies."

Regarding the reform of the National Intelligence Service, PSPD criticized, "Including the transfer of counterintelligence investigation authority, the reform was a campaign promise of President Moon Jae-in, but the Democratic Party, citing opposition from the opposition parties, proposed a compromise plan themselves that delayed the transfer of investigative authority by three years and granted investigative powers, ultimately causing a regression in the reform of the National Intelligence Service."

On police reform, PSPD strongly pointed out the failure to establish effective control mechanisms despite the National Police exercising functions and powers such as intelligence and security. This is because it is difficult to expect substantial changes in the decentralization and control of police powers.

PSPD emphasized, "This has betrayed the expectations for thorough reform of intelligence agencies," and stated, "Reform of intelligence agencies must start again."

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