Change Internal Term to 'Pre-Indictment Investigation'... Strengthening Procedures in Line with Investigation Standards

Police Agency Implements 'Regulations on Handling Cases Before Formal Charges'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The National Police Agency announced on the 31st that the "Regulations on Handling Cases Before Formal Charges" have been implemented from the 30th after deliberation and resolution by the National Police Commission.

Accordingly, the previously used term "naesa" has been completely abolished and changed to and unified as "investigation before formal charges." The National Police Agency explained, "We considered that the term 'naesa' caused misunderstandings and distrust by implying that the police conducted secret investigations without external control."

Furthermore, the police regard investigations before formal charges at a level equivalent to investigative procedures and have strengthened reporting, command, case management, and notification. For important cases of investigation before formal charges, procedures have been established to report to and receive command from the metropolitan/provincial police agencies and the National Police Agency’s National Investigation Headquarters, and when an investigation before formal charges is initiated, the progress of the investigation must be notified to the complainant, petitioner, victim, etc.

Additionally, when concluding an investigation before formal charges without filing charges, the "Police Investigation Regulations" are being revised simultaneously to specify conclusion types such as no suspicion, no crime, and no prosecution, similar to non-prosecution conclusions in investigations. A National Police Agency official said, "We expect that these related procedures will become more transparent and contribute to enhancing public trust."

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