Minister Sang-min Lee: "Police Operations Organization within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety Can Be Established in August"

"Two Months Are Enough for Public Opinion Gathering"... Police System Development Committee Believes It Should Be Under the Prime Minister
"'Police Control' Controversy, Police's Grounds for Opposition Are Unconvincing"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min predicted that the establishment of a police affairs organization within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety could be possible in August.

At a press briefing with reporters covering the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 28th, Minister Lee said, "The finalized improvement plan will be announced on the 15th of next month, and it will take another month after going through the enforcement decree," adding, "I think it will realistically be possible by the end of August."

Minister Lee had previously stated on the 27th, during a briefing on police system improvements, that the police affairs organization within the Ministry would be promptly established according to the advisory committee's recommendations. He explained, "Two months should be sufficient for gathering public opinion," and added, "If it takes longer, the gap period will only be extended and discussions may fizzle out, so I believe setting a deadline is the right approach."

He also reiterated his stance that they cannot simply wait for legal amendments regarding system improvements. He responded, "Regarding the realization of the National Police Commission, legal amendments are necessary, so it cannot be done immediately, but since there is currently a gap, we cannot wait for legal amendments."

The Police System Development Committee also expressed the view that it would be appropriate to be under the Prime Minister. The Development Committee is an organization that deeply discusses issues to be resolved in the mid-to-long term, such as legal amendments.

Regarding the so-called 'police control' controversy, Minister Lee emphasized that he could not accept the police's justification for opposition. He also reiterated that there was no reversal regarding the controversy over the demotion of the police superintendent general.

Minister Lee said, "I cannot accept the police's justification for opposing the police system improvements," adding, "This is not about control, but about proceeding according to the law."

He continued, "The personnel proposal for the police superintendent general was finalized on the 15th before going on an overseas trip," and said, "I returned on the evening of the 21st and instructed to implement the personnel changes. The proposal finalized on the 15th was submitted as is, and the president approved it as is," rejecting the criticism of reversal.

He further explained, "The reason it could not be enacted immediately was because consultation with local police commissions was necessary, and the consultation was completed during the trip," adding, "I understand that serious adjustments were made somewhere regarding the positions of the Police Policy Officer and the Police Personnel Department. I do not know whether it was the Police Agency or somewhere else, and it is not a matter for the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to investigate."

Meanwhile, regarding the next commissioner candidate personnel, he stated that the Ministry of Justice's verification and screening process would proceed simultaneously. Minister Lee explained, "When recommendations are made, the candidates will be verified, and if they are suitable, that is good; if there are unsuitable people, they will be excluded and recommended accordingly."

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