Jeon Hae-cheol: "Public Outrage Over LH Executives' Real Estate Speculation Allegations, Mobilizing All Resources to Devise a Definitive Solution"

Adjustment of Prosecution and Police Investigation Authority: "Direct Prosecution Investigations May Be Difficult, but Can Complement with Warrant Requests"
July Implementation of Autonomous Police System: "Preparation Process Smooth, Including Preliminary Pilot Tests"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] "We sincerely apologize to the public regarding the real estate speculation allegations involving employees of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH). The Ministry of the Interior and Safety will exert all possible efforts to establish clear solutions, including identifying the causes, addressing illegal activities, and improving the system."

Minister Jeon Hae-cheol of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety made these remarks during his first press briefing since taking office on the afternoon of the 9th at the Government Seoul Office. He added, "I understand that the government joint special investigation headquarters has been established centered on the National Investigation Headquarters to conduct a strict investigation," and said, "Not only the police but also related ministries are conducting investigations together, and during this process, the prosecution and police are cooperating to create an opportunity to gain public trust."

He also emphasized that although direct prosecution by the prosecution may be difficult in investigations related to LH employees' real estate speculation allegations due to the adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and police, the prosecution can play a complementary role in requesting warrants for compulsory investigations. The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Ansan Branch has formed a dedicated investigation team in preparation for the 'Gwangmyeong-Siheung' land speculation allegations.

Minister Jeon stated, "Since the prosecution can only conduct direct investigations in six major types of cases, it is currently difficult for the prosecution to conduct direct investigations," but explained, "Even if direct investigations are not conducted, there are many ways for the prosecution to complement and participate in investigations, such as requesting warrants for compulsory investigations."

Regarding criticisms that the current system has limitations in strictly regulating public officials' real estate speculation, he said that specific system improvements have not yet been reviewed. Minister Jeon said, "The audit team is participating in the government joint investigation team, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety will play a sufficient role regarding police investigations," adding, "In the future, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety will take the lead in consulting with local governments on system improvements, but specific system improvements have not been reviewed yet."

Additionally, he responded that preparations, including a preliminary pilot, are underway for the autonomous police system scheduled to be implemented in July. Minister Jeon said, "Preparation teams have been established in 17 metropolitan cities and provinces," and explained, "The important point is that organic cooperation among the police, provincial governors, and local governments is crucial."

He added, "Ordinance work to create a framework for organic cooperation is necessary, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety has provided standard ordinances for ordinance creation to each metropolitan city and province through consultation," and said, "I believe preparations for the implementation of the autonomous police system by July are progressing well so far."

Meanwhile, regarding intelligence police, he stated that the problems and harms must be continuously emphasized and that work is underway to revise the presidential decree.

Minister Jeon said, "Police with investigative functions should not cause harm by using intelligence capabilities and functions, and in that sense, it is fortunate that the Intelligence Police Act was clearly revised," adding, "Currently, the presidential decree revision work is underway, and it is necessary to properly prevent the harms of intelligence police through this presidential decree revision."

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