[Full Text] Jin-yeong, Minister of the Interior and Safety, "Investigation System Reform to Be Completed Within the Year"

Full Implementation of the Autonomous Police System and Launch of the National Investigation Headquarters

Jinyoung, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, is announcing the results of the 2nd National Intelligence Service, Prosecution, and Police Reform Strategy Meeting on the afternoon of September 21 at the Government Seoul Office briefing room. / Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Following the passage of the amendment to the Police Act, which centers on the introduction of the autonomous police system and the establishment of the National Investigation Headquarters, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety is preparing for the implementation of the system in each city and province and plans to complete the reorganization of the investigation system within this year.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Jin Young said at a joint briefing on power institution reform held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the afternoon of the 16th, "A reform bill focusing on the introduction of the autonomous police system and the establishment of the National Investigation Headquarters has been prepared, finally achieving the legalization of police reform," adding, "This is solely in response to the solemn command of the people to become a police force dedicated to the people."

According to the amended law, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety will fully introduce the autonomous police system nationwide in all cities and provinces starting next year and launch the National Investigation Headquarters to elevate the responsibility, fairness, and professionalism of police investigations to a new level. 'Autonomous Police Preparation Teams' will be immediately launched in each city, province, and provincial police agency, and to prevent confusion or inconvenience during the initial implementation, pilot operations will be conducted sequentially before full implementation.

Minister Jin explained, "We will complete the reorganization of the investigation system within this year so that the National Investigation Headquarters can be launched in line with the amended Criminal Procedure Act, which includes the adjustment of investigative authority effective January 1 next year. We will establish an investigative command and supervision system centered on an open-position headquarters chief and prepare measures to guarantee the independence and neutrality of investigative police, including improvements to personnel and inspection systems."

The plan is to enhance public trust in police investigations by strengthening the police's investigative capabilities while ensuring procedural rights of those involved in cases and preventing abuse of power and human rights violations.

Minister Jin stated, "We will clearly define the scope of activities of intelligence police to faithfully carry out their original mission of maintaining public safety and social order, and will also proceed smoothly with the transfer of counterintelligence investigative authority."

Below is the full text of the briefing.

Dear citizens,

The reform bill, which mainly includes the introduction of the autonomous police system and the establishment of the National Investigation Headquarters, has passed the plenary session of the National Assembly, finally achieving the legalization of police reform.

This is the result of a long-standing reform will aimed at reflecting the democratic principles of ‘decentralization and democratic control’ and ‘checks and balances,’ and it follows the solemn command of the people to “be reborn as a police force solely for the people.”

I thank the National Assembly for listening to the opinions of various sectors of society and deriving reasonable measures, and the citizens for watching with interest and affection.

According to the amended law, the autonomous police system will be fully introduced nationwide in all cities and provinces starting next year.

By linking local administration and public safety administration, various public safety services suitable for the security needs of local residents will be provided, allowing citizens to enjoy effective public safety services tailored to regional characteristics.

In accordance with the legislative intent, we will promptly complete the follow-up legislative arrangements and immediately launch ‘Autonomous Police Preparation Teams’ in each city, province, and provincial police agency to steadily prepare for implementation.

To prevent confusion or inconvenience during the initial implementation, pilot operations will be conducted sequentially before full implementation, and we will enhance completeness through close cooperation among related agencies.

We will expedite the launch of the National Investigation Headquarters, which will raise the responsibility, fairness, and professionalism of police investigations to a new level.

We plan to complete the reorganization of the investigation system within this year so that the National Investigation Headquarters can be launched in line with the amended Criminal Procedure Act, which includes the adjustment of investigative authority effective January 1 next year.

We will establish an investigative command and supervision system centered on an open-position headquarters chief and prepare measures to guarantee the independence and neutrality of investigative police, including improvements to personnel and inspection systems.

Along with strengthening the police’s investigative capabilities, we will also establish measures to protect the procedural rights of those involved in cases and prevent abuse of power and human rights violations, thereby increasing public trust in police investigations.

We will proceed smoothly with intelligence police reform and the transfer of counterintelligence investigative authority so that citizens have no concerns.

We will clearly define the scope of activities of intelligence police to faithfully carry out their original mission of maintaining public safety and social order,

enhance the police’s security investigation capabilities to ensure no gaps in national security, and establish a close cooperation system among national security agencies.

Dear citizens,

With the passage of this police reform bill, the powers of the police, which were previously centralized, will be decentralized, and democratic control over the police will be effectively realized.

We promise to be reborn as human rights guardians who protect the freedoms and rights of the people, strong protectors of the vulnerable in our society, and a police force devoted to and loved by the people.

Thank you.

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