National Police Agency and National Police Commission in Unison... "The Recommendation Goes Against History" (Comprehensive)

On the 21st, the Advisory Committee on Police System Improvement under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced recommendations for police control measures, including the establishment of a police bureau within the ministry, at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] On the 21st, the National Police Agency criticized the police control recommendations put forth by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's 'Police System Improvement Advisory Committee,' stating that they "go against the historical development process of the police and fail to properly embody the fundamental spirit of the police system, such as democracy."

On the same day, after holding a video conference with provincial police agencies chaired by Commissioner General Kim Chang-ryong, the National Police Agency expressed concerns that "the advisory committee's recommendations could undermine the rule of law, which is the foundation of the national organization and a basic principle of the Constitution." The agency added, "Police systems and activities directly affect the lives, bodies, human rights, and freedoms of the people, and any side effects ultimately fall on the public. We must deeply recognize that the foundation of police operations could change and approach this with greater caution than ever, considering its influence and ripple effects."

Previously, in 1991, the National Police Agency separated from the Ministry of Home Affairs (now the Ministry of the Interior and Safety) to ensure the police's democracy and independence. Under the Government Organization Act, public security was removed from the Ministry of Home Affairs minister's duties, and the Police Act was enacted so that the National Police Agency would carry out police administration under the control of the National Police Commission. Since then, the police have strengthened democratic control by installing the National Investigation Headquarters and introducing the autonomous police system to decentralize police authority, according to the police. However, the advisory committee's recommendations from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety are said to be policies that reverse this historical development process.

The National Police Agency also requested the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to form a broad social consultative body involving experts from various sectors, the public, and field police officers to continue wide-ranging discussions. They added that they hope a comprehensive reform plan will be prepared, expanding the discussion topics beyond administrative control to include citizen control and decentralization of police systems. The agency stated, "We will actively participate in follow-up discussions to ensure that the optimal solution balancing the social demand for democratic control of police power and the fundamental value of political neutrality is derived."

Earlier, the National Police Commission also released a statement in the afternoon, jointly expressing that the advisory committee's final recommendations would "result in regressing police administration and its system back 32 years." The commission emphasized, "The core of police system improvement lies in citizen participation and democratic control based on the rule of law and democracy," and stressed that "police control should begin with the realization of the National Police Commission to strengthen the police's democracy, neutrality, and fairness." They particularly argued that efforts to secure the independence of the National Investigation Headquarters and to supplement personnel, material, and institutional aspects to enhance police investigative capabilities must continue to alleviate public concerns about the expansion of police investigative authority.

Kim Ho-cheol, Chairman of the National Police Commission, urged, "We call for prompt public discussion and national debate on the police law amendment bills submitted to the National Assembly," and added, "We will continue to do our best to ensure the police's democracy, neutrality, and fairness."

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