[One Year Since the Launch of Guksubon①] Carrying the Hope for 'Responsible Investigation'... Focusing on Strengthening Expertise and Crimes Affecting the Ordinary Economy

Arrested 190,000 Through 28th Special Crackdown
Voice Phishing Crimes Show Declining Trend
Major Crimes Like Murder and Robbery Down 10%
Primary Investigation Closure Rights... 460,000 Early Recoveries
Investigation Paradigm Shift Focused on 'Victim Recovery'

The plaque unveiling ceremony of the National Investigation Headquarters held on January 4 last year at the Seoul Seodaemun-gu Police Agency North Building. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters (NIH) has marked its first anniversary. Established to strengthen the fairness and independence of police investigations following the adjustment of investigative authority between prosecutors and police, the NIH has dedicated the past year to eradicating crime and enhancing investigative expertise under the goal of "prioritizing human rights and the field, realizing citizen-centered responsible investigations." Efforts were also made to shift the paradigm of police investigations, which had focused on apprehending and suppressing criminals, toward protecting citizens' rights and restoring victims.

Focused Response to Crimes Affecting the Common People's Economy

The NIH first concentrated on strict crackdowns on major crimes. They conducted a total of 28 special themed crackdowns on malicious crimes such as ▲voice phishing, fraud, robbery, and theft affecting the common people's economy ▲domestic violence and organized crime ▲various corruption crimes ▲drug-related crimes ▲cyber gambling and sexual violence crimes, resulting in the detection of 240,237 cases and the arrest of 193,630 suspects.

The most notable achievements were in cracking down on crimes that infringe on the daily lives and economy of ordinary citizens. They detected 180,574 cases and arrested 113,359 suspects (5,418 detained) involved in crimes affecting the common people's economy, recovering a total of 796.4 billion KRW in criminal proceeds, including 581.9 billion KRW from fraud-related damages. In particular, investigative efforts were focused on eradicating telecommunication financial fraud (voice phishing), which has long plagued the daily lives of ordinary people.

During this period, the NIH actively responded by cracking down on 55,953 so-called "four major crime tools" such as forged bank accounts, forged phones, and illegal phone number modification devices, and blocking 168,873 phone lines used for crimes. As a result, since March last year, the occurrence and damage of telephone financial fraud crimes have declined, and arrests of criminal organization members increased by 17.1%. Over five years, 98 members of a gang impersonating "Prosecutor Kim Min-su" to embezzle 10 billion KRW were arrested, and the original voice phishing organization led by "Team Leader Kim Mi-young" was also apprehended.

Source=Guksubon

The occurrence of the five major crimes?murder, robbery, and rape?decreased by 10.1% compared to the previous year. Dedicated teams were established to respond to sexual crimes against women and abuse and violent crimes against children, with support for victim recovery and emergency and temporary measures to separate perpetrators and victims implemented simultaneously. As of the end of November last year, 124,912 cases of recovery support were provided to child and disabled victims of sexual violence through the Sunflower Center, and 61,945 cases of domestic violence and 9,899 cases of child abuse were addressed with emergency and temporary protective measures to safeguard victims.

Crackdowns on socially significant crimes continued. A government joint special investigation headquarters for real estate speculation offenders was operated, resulting in the crackdown on 6,038 individuals. Additionally, 9,102 quarantine obstruction offenders worsening the COVID-19 situation and 293 individuals spreading false information were arrested. Proactive measures were taken against new types of crimes, investigating 1,075 cases of telecommunications and cyber network attacks and arresting 619 suspects, cracking down on 2,506 individuals involved in drug distribution via the dark web and other internet platforms, and detecting 240 cases of virtual asset-related crimes such as fraudulent solicitation and embezzlement of exchange deposits.

Focus on Fairness and Efficiency in Investigations... Efforts to Enhance Expertise

Positive effects have emerged as the police gained primary authority to conclude investigations through the adjustment of investigative rights. With the police directly concluding cases, 460,000 citizens were released early from suspect status in cases without charges last year. The police explain that duplicate investigations by police and prosecutors are gradually decreasing.

Procedures benefiting the public have also been implemented. Guidelines were established to dismiss minor traffic accidents, preventing 140,000 drivers involved in minor accidents annually from becoming suspects. The Cybercrime Online Reporting System (ECRM) was improved, enabling an average of 1,100 victims per month to report multiple online cyber fraud cases without appearing at police stations.

Revised Cybercrime Reporting System (ECRM).

Notable legislative and institutional reforms that will transform investigations have followed. Undercover investigations were introduced for digital sexual crimes against children and adolescents, and the Stalking Punishment Act, which provides legal grounds to respond to stalking behaviors, was enacted. The Serious Accident Punishment Act, which stipulates police investigations for serious accidents involving casualties, and the Military Court Act, which regulates police investigations into internal military sexual crimes, have expanded police responsibilities.

Amid these circumstances, efforts to enhance investigative capabilities have continued. Experts from various social fields have been recruited from the hiring stage, and existing investigators are assigned qualifications and duties based on their expertise, capabilities, and experience to manage investigative police personnel with specialized skills. In 2020 and last year, 557 experts in various fields?including certified public accountants and certified tax accountants, as well as specialists in disaster, terrorism, medical accidents, cybercrime, and forensic science?were newly recruited.

For existing investigators, a four-tier qualification system?preliminary, general, full-time, and chief investigator?has been implemented, allowing cases to be handled according to ability and experience, linked with investigative command positions, and fostering pride as investigative experts. Following the selection of 3,325 full-time investigators and 154 chief investigators last year, recruitment continues this year, alongside plans to expand tailored education and educational infrastructure.

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