'Launch D-6' National Investigation Headquarters... Can It Become Korea's FBI?

Adjustment of Investigation Authority and Transfer of Counterintelligence Investigation Authority
Police Becoming the Largest Investigation Agency in the Country

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] On January 1st next year, the 'National Investigation Headquarters (Guksubon)' will be launched to oversee police investigations. Guksubon will serve as one pillar of the decentralization of police authority alongside the National Police and Autonomous Police. Opinions on Guksubon are divided. On one hand, there is hope that police investigations will become independent, enabling fair and professional investigations. On the other hand, concerns arise that appointing the head of the headquarters as an external figure aligned with the ruling party’s preferences could lead to biased police investigations. Especially since the prosecution’s investigative command authority has been abolished due to the adjustment of investigative powers between prosecutors and police, and the police will have primary authority to conclude investigations, the responsibility on Guksubon’s shoulders has grown heavier. With less than a week remaining until its official launch, can Guksubon truly become the 'Korean version of the FBI'?

‘Guksubon’ Becoming the Largest Investigation Agency in the Country

Upon its launch, Guksubon will become the largest dedicated investigation agency in the country in name and reality. Except for some investigations such as those involving high-ranking officials handled by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), it will be responsible for investigating virtually all crimes. Especially with the scope of direct investigations by the prosecution reduced due to the adjustment of investigative powers, and with the National Intelligence Service’s counterintelligence investigation authority expected to be fully transferred to the police in three years, Guksubon’s investigative authority is expected to be further strengthened.

The Guksubon organization will be formed by expanding and reorganizing the existing investigative functions of the National Police Agency. A new position, the Investigation Planning and Coordination Officer, comparable to the Planning and Coordination Officer of the National Police Agency, will be established to handle support tasks such as organization and budget, as well as investigations into complaints and petitions related to investigations. The criminal division, previously handled at the department level, will be expanded into the Criminal Bureau, and the Security Bureau will be reorganized into the Security Investigation Bureau to prepare for the transfer of counterintelligence investigation authority. Additionally, an Investigation Human Rights Officer will be placed directly under the Guksubon Chief to oversee human rights protection during investigations. The Investigation Bureau, Cyber Investigation Bureau (Cyber Safety Bureau), and Forensic Investigation Management Officer, which were previously part of the National Police Agency, will also be incorporated into Guksubon. The formation of Guksubon as the largest investigative organization is proceeding smoothly.

Model diagram of the National Police, Autonomous Police, and National Investigation Headquarters./Source: National Police Agency

Top Priority: Securing Investigative Neutrality and Accountability

What has become all the more important is the establishment of a ‘responsible investigation system’ within Guksubon. Although improvements have been made compared to the past, controversies over police’s inadequate investigations have repeated every year. The period when distrust in police investigations peaked was last year. Incidents such as the Burning Sun scandal and the murder case of Go Yoo-jeong’s ex-husband starkly revealed the police’s inadequate investigations. The Lee Chun-jae serial murder case was also a commendable achievement for the police in identifying the true culprit after re-investigating 30 years later, but during this process, the police had to bow their heads as past coercive and illegal investigations were confirmed.

Before Guksubon’s launch, the police have prepared and implemented systems to establish a responsible investigation system. All provincial police agencies and police stations operate warrant examiners, investigation examiners, and responsible investigation supervisors to meticulously review whether appropriate investigations were conducted from warrant application to case closure. Representative measures include the introduction of qualification systems for investigators and investigation department heads to foster investigation experts, and the reform of police investigation education systems. In addition, institutional measures have been put in place to ensure human rights protection, fairness in investigations, and enhancement of public convenience throughout the entire investigative process.

Personnel is Everything... Who Will Be the First Guksubon Chief?

Despite the various systems established to realize investigative independence and human rights protection, ultimately, ‘personnel’ is crucial. Already, 4 to 5 high-ranking police officers turned legal professionals and current senior police officers are being discussed as candidates. However, appointing the chief at the time of Guksubon’s launch has become practically difficult. The external recruitment process takes time, and even if promoted internally, the chief must be at least a Senior Superintendent (Chong-gyeong), so the appointment will likely coincide with the regular personnel reshuffle for Senior Superintendents in early January next year. Accordingly, Guksubon is expected to operate under an acting chief system for the time being.

Nevertheless, the first Guksubon Chief must be chosen carefully. Depending on who is appointed, Guksubon’s launch could either represent genuine police reform or merely a ‘showy’ police reform. Recently, concerns about the police’s authority to conclude investigations have resurfaced following the internal closure of the investigation into Deputy Minister of Justice Lee Yong-gu’s ‘taxi driver assault’ incident. To dispel such concerns, the role of the first Guksubon Chief is critical. It is clear that the appointee must be politically neutral and possess expertise in investigations as well as a commitment to human rights values. The Guksubon Chief will serve a single two-year term and will retire upon completion of the term.

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