Police Chief Kim Chang-ryong on the 'Electronic Ankle Bracelet Tampering' Case, "Need for Police Duty Immunity Regulations"

Reduced Liability for Legitimate Job Activities in Emergencies
2030 Personnel Scheduled for Recruitment Next Year

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Regarding the criticism that the police responded passively during the case of Kang Yoon-sung (56), who damaged an electronic tracking device (electronic anklet) and murdered two women, Police Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong (photo) emphasized the need for legal and institutional improvements, including the establishment of exemption regulations.

Commissioner Kim stated in written materials for a press briefing on the 6th, "To encourage active duty performance by on-site police officers that meets the public’s expectations, it is necessary to establish a general exemption regulation under the Police Duty Execution Act (Gyeongjikbeop)." He explained that physical and property damages occurring during urgent situations while police officers are engaged in crime prevention activities should be regarded as legitimate duty activities, thereby reducing or exempting their responsibility.

Currently, two amendment bills to the Police Duty Execution Act, proposed respectively by Democratic Party lawmakers Seo Young-kyo and Lee Byung-hoon, are pending in the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee. Both include provisions for exemption from liability or sentence reduction due to police duty activities. Commissioner Kim said, "We are preparing to discuss alternatives that can encompass matters related to this case," and added, "To prevent recurrence, we will actively consult and supplement improvement plans with the Ministry of Justice to ensure closer cooperation."

Regarding criticism that investigations into high-ranking officials in the real estate speculation probe triggered by the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) have been sluggish as the investigation reaches six months this month, Commissioner Kim explained, "We are conducting strict investigations without exception regardless of affiliation or rank." He emphasized repeatedly, "As social attention is focused on various suspicions, we are thoroughly verifying facts to determine the presence or absence of charges," and promised, "We will investigate swiftly and fairly."

Commissioner Kim also spoke about measures for maintaining public safety during the upcoming Chuseok holiday, stating, "We have designated the two weeks before and after Chuseok as a special quarantine period and plan to promote special criminal activities for proactive crime prevention during the Chuseok holiday."

Regarding next year’s personnel increase plan, he explained, "According to the government’s plan for central government department staffing, 2,030 personnel will be added." This is about 27% less than this year’s 2,785 personnel. The new personnel will be assigned to public safety and field investigation sectors, including 1,577 replacements for the abolition of mandatory police, 163 cyber investigators, 104 investigation review personnel, and 60 members of the women and youth violent crime team.

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