Too Hasty...? One Month of Police Reform, 'Squeaky' from the Start

Deputy Minister Lee Yong-gu Taxi Driver Assault Controversy
Doubts Over Investigation Termination Authority from the Start
National Police Agency Expected to Normalize by March
Autonomous Police Ahead of Pilot Operation, Needs Further Observation

Lee Yong-gu, Deputy Minister of Justice, attended the 'Agenda Coordination Committee on the Partial Amendment to the Act on the Establishment and Operation of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office' held at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 8th, reviewing the materials. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Although the Police Reform Act marked one month since its enforcement on the 1st, the three major clouds have yet to clear. Controversy surrounding Vice Minister of Justice Lee Yong-gu’s assault incident involving a taxi driver is intensifying, while skepticism continues regarding the absence of a head for the National Investigation Headquarters and the autonomous police system.

The police’s authority to close investigations suffered a direct blow due to Vice Minister Lee’s case. This is because the case was apparently closed internally despite having viewed the ‘black box footage,’ which could have been decisive evidence. Although the police launched an internal investigation, suspicions of a ‘lenient investigation’ remain widespread.

The police are trying to downplay the connection between the case closure and the investigation, citing reasons such as the incident occurring before the implementation of the investigation authority adjustment. Choi Seung-ryeol, acting head of the National Investigation Headquarters (Director of Investigation), recently stated at a briefing, “Responsible investigation is in the process of being established by diligently correcting errors. While individual investigators who made mistakes deserve criticism, I hope this does not become an obstacle to the broader reform of the criminal justice system.”

The appointment of the head of the National Investigation Headquarters, which has been vacant for a month, is expected to take place around the Lunar New Year holiday at the earliest. Considering the time needed for understanding the duties, normalization is likely only by March. As various controversies such as Vice Minister Lee’s case and the ‘Jung-in case’ arise, the absence of a leader responsible for managing and responding to these issues clearly shows its limitations.

There are also claims that time was tight due to legal revisions, but since the establishment of the National Investigation Headquarters had already been a foregone conclusion, voices are calling for thorough preparation. Lee Woong-hyuk, a professor of police studies at Konkuk University, pointed out, “This indicates insufficient prior preparation despite significant institutional changes.”

The autonomous police system has been legally enforced since the 1st of last month, but it will be officially introduced on the ground in July. Local governments that complete preparations beforehand can conduct pilot operations. The police have reorganized existing provincial police agencies into city/provincial police agencies and completed organizational adjustments, while local governments have begun appointing members of the city/provincial police committees that will oversee and command the autonomous police. The outline of the autonomous police system is expected to become clear around April to May.

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