"'Korean FBI' National Investigation Headquarters Officially Launched Today"

Plaque Unveiling Ceremony Held... Police Investigation Affairs Chief
"Empathetic and Specialized Investigations to Meet Public Expectations"
Head of Headquarters Scheduled for Appointment Early Next Month
Interim Acting System in Place for Now... Initial Confusion Must Be Resolved

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, Park Jung-hoon, Chairman of the National Police Commission, and other officials held the National Investigation Headquarters plaque ceremony on the 4th at the National Police Agency North Building in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. On this day, the police held the National Investigation Headquarters plaque ceremony and officially began operating the reorganized investigation organization. The National Investigation Headquarters was established at the National Police Agency North Building and other locations. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The National Investigation Headquarters (NIH), the "Korean version of the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)," which will oversee police investigations, officially launched on the 4th. With the enforcement of the amended Criminal Procedure Act and Prosecutors' Office Act, which include the adjustment of investigative authority between prosecutors and police, the police's investigative powers have been significantly strengthened starting this year, placing a heavy responsibility on the NIH. However, since a leadership vacuum of at least about a month is expected, the key issue will be whether the initial confusion can be somewhat alleviated.

The National Police Agency held a plaque unveiling ceremony for the NIH at 11 a.m. on the same day at the North Building of the Police Agency in Migeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Attendees included Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency; Park Jung-hoon, Chairman of the National Police Commission; and Choi Seung-ryeol, Director of the Investigation Bureau, who is acting as the head of the NIH, among other NIH officials. In his greeting, Commissioner Kim said, "With the implementation of the autonomous police system and the launch of the NIH, the police have been entrusted with the historic mission to exercise restrained public authority based on the principles of checks and balances and to become a true 'people's police' that looks solely to the citizens." He added, "We will respond to the public's expectations through empathetic investigations that prioritize human rights, and professional investigations characterized by fairness and accountability."

The NIH oversees all investigative-related tasks, including directing and supervising provincial police chiefs, police station chiefs, and investigative departments regarding police investigations, as well as policy formulation, enhancing investigators' expertise, protecting the human rights of those involved in cases, and reviewing objections to investigations. Although established under the National Police Agency, it functions as an independent organization that is effectively not under the direct command of the Police Commissioner. This is because the Police Commissioner's specific investigative command authority over individual cases is, in principle, abolished and limited to cases requiring large-scale personnel mobilization, among others.

Starting this year, the scope of direct investigations by prosecutors is limited to six major crimes: corruption, economic crimes, crimes by public officials, election crimes, defense industry crimes, and major disasters, as well as crimes committed by police officers and crimes referred by the police. The police are granted primary authority to conclude investigations. In response to ongoing concerns about the strengthening of police investigative powers, the police announced five "promises to the public": empathetic police investigations, fair and clean investigative police, human rights-friendly police investigations, establishment of a responsible investigative system, and training of investigative experts. Additionally, with the launch of the NIH, plans were announced to conduct large-scale crackdowns on crimes that trouble ordinary citizens, such as telephone financial fraud (voice phishing) and neighborhood violence.

However, above all, the NIH's greatest challenge is the rapid stabilization of the organization. The formal appointment of the NIH head is expected to take place no earlier than early next month. Moreover, the position of the NIH Investigation Planning and Coordination Officer, who will act as the deputy, is also vacant, resulting in an unprecedented situation of a "deputy of the deputy." The appointment of the head is essential for setting the NIH's future policy direction and minimizing the trial and error that new organizations typically experience. The National Police Agency began an external recruitment process for the NIH head as of the 1st. After document screening, physical examination, and comprehensive evaluation, two to three candidates will be shortlisted. Among them, the Police Commissioner will recommend one candidate, who will then be nominated by the Minister of the Interior and Safety, pass through the Prime Minister, and finally be appointed by the President.

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