National Police Agency Expands Communication with Workplace Councils but Nationwide Establishment Remains Uncertain

Selected 'Communication Messengers' Among Union Representatives
Bridge Role Between Field and Higher Authorities
Some Criticism as "Showmanship"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The National Police Agency has launched a separate ‘messenger’ to strengthen communication with workplace councils (Jikhyup) at police stations nationwide.

On the 27th, the National Police Agency selected a total of 20 ‘Jikhyup Communication Messengers,’ one from each metropolitan and provincial police agency and affiliated institution, starting this month to enhance communication with the Jikhyup. These messengers communicate with the National Police Agency through suggestions and opinions from Jikhyup at various levels and serve as intermediaries for policy communication between higher authorities and the field. To prevent any potential fairness disputes, the National Police Agency required that the communication messengers be selected by each Jikhyup through voting or a rotation system.

Since the introduction of police Jikhyup in June last year, individual Jikhyup have been established in over 90% of police stations to date. However, under the current Public Officials Workplace Council Act, only institution-specific Jikhyup can be established, making communication between higher authorities and Jikhyup difficult for a nationwide organization like the police. The introduction of this communication messenger appears to be a measure to fill this gap.

There are organizations within the police that claim to be nationwide Jikhyup. Currently, two groups?the National Police Jikhyup Solidarity, composed of representatives from each station’s Jikhyup, and the Police Jikhyup Democratic Council?are active. However, since nationwide Jikhyup operation is legally restricted, these groups cannot engage in activities beyond being a voluntary coalition. It is also analyzed that the National Police Agency’s policy of not operating this communication messenger under a separate organization’s name is due to legal concerns.

However, there is criticism on the ground that this is a ‘showcase’ form of communication. Min Gwan-gi, representative of the National Police Jikhyup Solidarity, criticized, “They intend to only receive messages without directly communicating with the Jikhyup representatives who were elected by gathering the consensus of field officers,” adding, “It seems like an attempt to show ‘we are communicating with the Jikhyup’ ahead of next month’s National Assembly audit.”

For smooth collection of field opinions, the establishment of a legal nationwide Jikhyup within the police is ultimately necessary. Three amendment bills to the Public Officials Workplace Council Act, which would allow the establishment of nationwide Jikhyup such as a Jikhyup Federation, have been proposed in the National Assembly but are all currently pending.

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