'Police Reform' Legislation Completed…National Police Agency: "The Biggest Change in 75 Years of History, Fulfilling Our Era's Mission to the End"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] On the 13th, when the legislation related to police reform was finalized, the National Police Agency stated, "We will prepare without any setbacks to upgrade the police system to a higher level and produce tangible results of reform that can be genuinely felt."

On the same day, the National Assembly passed the amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act, transferring the authority for major criminal investigations to the police. Previously, with the passage of the Police Act amendment, which included the introduction of autonomous police and the establishment of the National Investigation Headquarters, all reform bills related to power institutions have been approved by the National Assembly.

The National Police Agency commented, "The long-standing police reform efforts to realize the values of democracy, human rights, and decentralization have finally borne fruit by being institutionalized into law," adding, "The single national police system maintained since the founding of the Police Department in 1945 has been divided into national police, autonomous police, and investigative police, establishing an institutional foundation where the principles of checks and balances operate permanently."

Furthermore, they said, "The police are facing the greatest change in their 75-year history," and added, "We accept the solemn command of the people to 'be reborn as a police force solely for the people,' and we will prioritize safety and human rights as the highest values to fulfill the historic mission of police reform to the end."

Regarding the core of police reform?the establishment of autonomous police and the National Investigation Headquarters?the National Police Agency pledged, "We will operate the autonomous police system solidly and provide community-based services through close cooperation with cities and provinces to become a reliable neighborhood police," and "The newly launched National Investigation Headquarters will maintain neutrality and independence, becoming the control tower of police investigations to dramatically enhance accountability, fairness, and professionalism in investigations."

Concerning the transfer of major criminal investigation authority to the police, scheduled to take place three years later, they explained, "We will establish a security investigation cooperation system with related agencies such as the National Intelligence Service and thoroughly prepare to ensure there are no gaps in national security by enhancing the police’s security investigation capabilities."

Finally, the National Police Agency emphasized, "Based on citizen participation and transparent disclosure, we will strengthen internal and external democratic control functions to increase public empathy and trust," and promised, "We will become a respected and beloved police force through continuous change and innovation until we meet the expectations of the people."

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