"Promotion Candidates Should Only Look to the Minister"… Police Protest Final Proposal by Ministry of the Interior and Safety

Dark clouds hang over the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency building in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the 15th, ahead of the announcement of the "Police System Improvement Plan," which includes the establishment of the Police Bureau, a police work organization, and the enactment of command rules by the Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety over the Commissioner of the National Police Agency. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

On the 15th, as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety finalized plans to improve the police system, frontline police officers' opposition grew stronger.

The National Police Workplace Council (Jikhyup), which has led the collective resistance, held a meeting immediately after the announcement of the final plan to seek response measures. Jikhyup is expected to release a statement next week. The day before, they held a press conference in front of Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, urging the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to withdraw the establishment of the Police Bureau. Two days before the final announcement, on the 13th, they also staged a Samboilbae protest in front of Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul. At that time, they expressed concerns that "the establishment of the Police Bureau would seriously undermine police independence and neutrality and lead to the political subordination of the police to power."

Despite these concerns, as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety pushed ahead with the establishment of the Police Bureau, strong opposition erupted within the police. A frontline police officer said, "At the field level, promotion candidates will only look to the Minister of the Interior and Safety," adding, "They say the Police Bureau is a channel for coordinating opinions, but I question whether it is truly coordination." There are also voices saying that not only police neutrality and independence but also the rule of law, a fundamental principle of the Constitution, could be undermined. Criticism toward the leadership, including candidate Chief Yoon Hee-geun, continues. One police officer said, "I don't know what the leadership, including candidate Yoon who promised to communicate with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to reflect field opinions, has actually done."

Concerns were also raised about the establishment of command rules by the Minister of the Interior and Safety over the Commissioner of the National Police Agency. One police officer said, "In major cases, there is a possibility that the Ministry of the Interior and Safety will take an interest and intervene," adding, "Although they said they would not interfere with investigations, there could be issues with independence." Min Gwan-gi, head of the Jikhyup at Cheongju Heungdeok Police Station in Chungbuk, said, "The Police Commissioner cannot specifically command or supervise investigations, so this essentially means they intend to intervene in investigations."

Carrot measures such as upgrading police public security positions (adjusting base pay to public security level) and introducing a multiple rank system have also not been welcomed. A National Police Agency official said, "While appropriate incentives can be presented and accepted, given the president's low approval rating and the small government policy, it is doubtful whether a pay increase to public security levels is realistically possible." Another official said, "Most of the police force consists of officers who started as patrol officers," adding, "It seems they are trying to appease the organization and appear friendly by taking care of patrol officers." Skepticism was also expressed regarding manpower reinforcement. A frontline investigative police officer said, "The Ministry of Economy and Finance, besides the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, must increase the budget for manpower itself for this to be possible," adding, "There will definitely be limits to recruiting personnel through the investigative system."

Meanwhile, some voices suggest that since implementation next month is a foregone conclusion, a new relationship with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety must be established. A National Police Agency official said, "Since about 80% of the Police Bureau personnel will be police officers, reflecting their position in budget management and having frequent communication between the Minister and the Police Commissioner on personnel matters may not be bad in the long term."

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