Police Reform Faces 'Amcho' Obstacles from the Start... Is There a Breakthrough?

Ongoing Controversies Over Jeongin Case and Lee Yong-gu Allegations
National Investigation Headquarters Chief Position Still Vacant
Restore Public Trust Through Transparent Disclosure and Appropriate Measures

Signboard of the National Investigation Headquarters./Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] This year marks a 'major turning point' for the police with the adjustment of investigative authority, the implementation of the autonomous police system, and the launch of the National Investigation Headquarters (Guksubon). However, from the very beginning, the police have encountered a series of obstacles, increasing public distrust in police reform.

Most of this distrust has been self-inflicted by the police. Although the incidents occurred last year, controversies continue into the new year over the inadequate response to the death of a 16-month-old adopted child in Yangcheon, Seoul (known as the 'Jeong-in case'), and allegations of concealment of black box footage by the investigator in charge related to the assault allegations against Vice Minister of Justice Lee Yong-gu by a taxi driver. The revelation of past coercive investigations by the police, such as in the Lee Chun-jae serial murder case and the Nakdong River murder case, also adds to the burden.

Police reform is like riding a tiger at full speed. It is a moment moving toward the completion of an 'irreversible' reform that can no longer be reversed legally or institutionally. The ruling party has already embarked on 'Prosecutorial Reform Season 2' based on the principle of separating investigation and prosecution, where 'investigation is by the police, prosecution by the prosecution service.' If the police fully exercise investigative authority, their power will increase further, and external checks and balances will be strengthened accordingly.

However, if public distrust continues, the pace of such reforms will slow down and deviate from the original intent of reform. Can the police find a breakthrough?

The Lee Yong-gu Vice Minister Case Became a Gauge for Police 'Investigation Closure Authority'

From January 1 this year, with the enforcement of the amended Criminal Procedure Act, the prosecutor's right to direct investigations was abolished, and the police were granted primary authority to close investigations. The relationship between the police and prosecution was also defined as one of mutual cooperation. Although it did not lead to a complete separation of investigation and prosecution, the police's long-standing wish was fulfilled, raising expectations within the police.

However, within less than a month, the police's investigation closure authority suffered a direct blow due to the Vice Minister Lee case. It appeared that the case was closed while ignoring the 'black box footage,' which could have been decisive evidence. The police drew a line, stating that this suspicion was unrelated to their investigation closure authority, but the issue expanded due to controversies such as failure to report major cases.

Lee Yong-gu, Deputy Minister of Justice, is attending the inauguration ceremony of Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, held at the Gyeonggi Government Gwacheon Complex on the 1st. / Gwacheon - Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Ultimately, the police formed a fact-finding team of 13 members and began an internal investigation. However, regardless of the conclusion, damage to the police seems inevitable. If it is found that the case was covered up after reporting to higher-ups, it would mean 'organizational concealment.' If the conclusion is that the investigator in charge personally ignored it, it would prove that internal checks and balances did not function properly and raise doubts about whether the police should be granted investigation closure authority. This single case has put the police in a 'dilemma.'

Moreover, since the prosecution is investigating the assault case against Vice Minister Lee itself, attention is also focused on the prosecution's investigation results. If the prosecution reaches a different conclusion from the police, it will be difficult for the police to avoid criticism of inadequate investigation from the outset. Currently, the police's only escape route is to transparently disclose the fact-finding results externally and take appropriate measures accordingly.

Appointment of Guksubon Chief: Will It Create a Turning Point?

The appointment of the Guksubon chief, who has not been found for over a month, is expected to take place at the earliest next week. Including the time needed to understand the work, Guksubon is expected to operate normally by March. Various controversies such as the Vice Minister Lee case and the 'Jeong-in case' have emerged, but there is no leader to take responsibility and respond, highlighting clear limitations.

The appointment of the Guksubon chief is an important gauge for the future direction of police investigations. If a person without controversy or noise, with expertise in police investigations and excellent capabilities in human rights protection, is selected to oversee and command investigations, it will enhance trust in police investigations. It is also expected to play a role in proactively responding to various controversies surrounding police investigations and minimizing side effects.

However, the delay in selection and the 'opaque' selection process remain regrettable. Although Guksubon is organized under the National Police Agency, the Guksubon chief, except for some major cases defined by law, does not receive specific command from the National Police Agency chief. This means exercising authority as the head of a power institution. However, since the selection is done internally by the police without public hearings, transparency in the recruitment process is not guaranteed.

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, recently stated at a press briefing, "(The selection of the Guksubon chief) is proceeding fairly according to procedures," and "We are working to select the best possible candidate." A Guksubon chief appointment that is accepted both inside and outside the police will be the first step toward successful police reform.

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