The "Jeongin Incident" Response... Power Decentralization and Police Reform Put to the Test

Power Concentrated in National Police Agency as Before
Initial Implementation Chaos Predicted
Follow-up Measures to Be Handled by Joint TF of National Police Agency and Guksubon

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The 'police reform,' composed of three pillars?the National Police, the Autonomous Police, and the National Investigation Headquarters?is showing signs of instability from its early implementation. Although introduced to decentralize police authority, the response to the death of a 16-month-old adopted child due to abuse, known as the 'Jeong-in case,' has effectively concentrated all authority back to the National Police Agency as before.

According to the police on the 11th, as part of follow-up measures related to the Jeong-in case, the National Police Agency plans to establish an 'Abuse Prevention Division,' a dedicated child abuse unit, at its headquarters. Additionally, the police will require immediate reporting to the police chief for abuse cases reported more than twice, and conduct joint comprehensive inspections every six months with local governments and child protection agencies. These measures were all announced by Police Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong during his public apology on the 6th.

The police response shows that the Autonomous Police are effectively excluded. Child abuse cases are clearly classified as Autonomous Police affairs. Under the current 'unified model,' the National Police, Autonomous Police, and investigative police all work within the same police stations, but the Autonomous Police must be directed by the city/provincial Autonomous Police Commission, not the Police Commissioner. Although the Autonomous Police system has not been practically implemented, it was legally introduced on January 1 of this year. The National Police Agency’s actions could be perceived as the National Police overstepping its authority regarding Autonomous Police affairs.

The National Investigation Headquarters (Guksubon) is in a similar situation. Commissioner Kim stated that to prepare measures against child abuse, a task force (TF) involving all related functions centered on Guksubon would be formed. This indicates National Police involvement in Guksubon affairs. Although Guksubon is an organization under the National Police Agency, questions arise as to whether this is an appropriate measure considering its founding purpose of securing investigative expertise and independence.

The Police Commissioner can only direct the Autonomous Police and Guksubon in exceptional cases. The Jeong-in case can be considered one such exception under the clause, "when there is sufficient reason to recognize the need to implement security policies that apply equally to multiple cities/provinces on matters significantly affecting public safety." Commissioner Kim also expressed during his apology that "we will firmly establish a cooperative system between the National Investigation Headquarters and the city/provincial Autonomous Police." It is necessary to consider that some confusion is inevitable in the early stages of implementation and that swift action was required due to the public outrage over the case.

However, it is undeniable that there was confusion in the early stages of the 'tripartite separation of police powers.' There remains the challenge of maintaining security capabilities while properly applying decentralized police authority on the ground. The Jeong-in case has put the ongoing police reform to the test. In this regard, the police announced that a task force to discuss follow-up measures for the Jeong-in case will be jointly formed by the Deputy Commissioner of the National Police Agency and the head of the National Investigation Headquarters.

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