Police Commissioner General: "Major Changes in Public Safety System Ahead... Will Fulfill Duty of Police Reform"

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, "The Long Journey of Police Reform Finally Institutionalized"
The Safest Country, Reborn as a Police Force Respected and Loved

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, is being interviewed by Asia Economy on the 27th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, once again expressed his determination to perfectly complete the remaining reform tasks related to the National Intelligence Service Act and the Police Act amendments that passed the National Assembly plenary session. He also presented detailed implementation plans following the enforcement of police reform-related bills.

In his opening remarks at a press briefing held at the National Police Agency after a joint briefing on power institution reforms at the Government Seoul Office Building on the afternoon of the 16th, Commissioner Kim stated, “With the police reform bills passing the National Assembly plenary session, the long journey of police reform has finally borne fruit through institutionalization.”

Commissioner Kim said, “Starting January 1 next year, the amended Criminal Procedure Act, which recognizes the police as the primary and original investigative agency, will be enforced, and the national security system is facing significant changes with the implementation of the autonomous police system and the launch of the National Investigation Headquarters.”

He evaluated the introduction of the autonomous police system as “the most realistic plan considering Korea’s security conditions, public convenience, and the financial situation of the state and local governments.”

Commissioner Kim explained, “For the nationwide implementation of the autonomous police system, related subordinate laws must be meticulously revised, and detailed operational plans such as personnel and budget for the autonomous police must be promptly prepared in cooperation with relevant ministries and local governments. Preparation teams have been launched in each city and provincial police agency, and the autonomous police system will begin operation sequentially in areas ready to do so, with full implementation scheduled for all 17 cities and provinces by July next year.”

He added, “Through the autonomous police system, we will firmly carry out proactive and preventive police activities to get closer to citizens. The combination of local government budget support, environmental and facility improvement efforts, and preventive police activities will establish an institutional foundation to create a safer country.”

Regarding the establishment of the National Investigation Headquarters (Guksubon), he stated, “We plan to promptly complete the revision of subordinate laws and the reorganization of investigative organizations to ensure the system operates properly in line with the enforcement of the amended law on January 1 next year.”

Commissioner Kim said, “We will establish an investigative command and supervision system centered on the National Investigation Headquarters, fitting for the control tower of police investigations, and simultaneously improve personnel and inspection systems for investigative police.” He added, “An internal and external review system to guarantee the completeness of investigations and minimize errors is about to be fully operational, and we are building a specialized investigative system centered on provincial police agencies, including the right to legal counsel and qualification management for investigators.”

He presented the keywords for realizing a citizen-centered field judicial system as ▲responsible investigation ▲specialized investigation ▲human rights investigation ▲fair investigation ▲empathetic investigation.

Commissioner Kim explained, “Intelligence police will faithfully carry out their fundamental mission of ensuring public safety and preventing risks. To prevent the repetition of past practices, the Presidential Decree will specify the targets of intelligence activities more concretely to include crimes, disasters, and public conflicts, and the name ‘Intelligence Bureau’ will be changed to ‘Public Safety Intelligence Bureau.’”

Furthermore, he said, “We will thoroughly prepare for the transfer of the National Intelligence Service’s counterintelligence investigation authority to ensure no gaps in national security. Along with establishing a security investigation bureau, the security departments of 17 provincial police agencies will be reorganized, a Security Investigation Research Center will be established to strengthen specialized training, and a close intelligence cooperation system with the National Intelligence Service will be built.”

He also stated, “We will strengthen democratic control functions both inside and outside, such as the National Police Commission and city/provincial autonomous police commissions, to prevent abuse of power or human rights violations. We will further enhance open administration to increase transparency in law enforcement and institutionalize expanded citizen participation to realize police administration together with the public.”

Finally, Commissioner Kim promised, “We will fulfill the historic mission of police reform by prioritizing the safety and human rights of the people. We will actively respond to public expectations and become the safest country and a police force respected and loved by all.”

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