Ministerial Direct 'Police Bureau' to Be Established Within Ministry of the Interior Next Month... Lee Sang-min: "Will Order Investigations on Cases of High Interest"

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"Structurally Under Minister, Vice Minister, and Police Bureau, but Effectively Directly Under Minister"...Launching on August 2

Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min is announcing the plan to establish a Police Bureau within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the improvement measures for the police system at the briefing room of the Government Seoul Office Annex on the 15th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Minister Lee Sang-min, who decided to establish a Police Bureau within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, expressed his intention to place the Police Bureau virtually directly under the minister and personally oversee important policies.

On the 15th, Minister Lee announced the final plan for 'Police System Improvement,' which includes the establishment of the Police Bureau on the 2nd of next month and the enactment of litigation agency command rules, at the Government Seoul Office. During a Q&A session with reporters, he said, "The National Police Commission serves as an advisory committee to the Minister of the Interior and Safety," adding, "Important policies go through deliberation and resolution by the National Police Commission and then receive approval from the Minister of the Interior and Safety."

The Police Bureau, to be newly established on the 2nd of next month, will be operated directly under the minister. Minister Lee explained, "Currently, there is no way to place an organization at the bureau level directly under the minister in the organizational system," but added, "For now, the system will have the minister, vice minister, and Police Bureau, but in reality, it will be directly under the minister."

He also clearly expressed his intention to give investigation orders to the police. When asked whether he would order investigations if the police are not investigating socially significant cases or cases involving senior police officials, he answered, "Yes."

Regarding criticism that this move would return to the system from 31 years ago when the police were controlled under the Ministry of Home Affairs, he refuted it as completely based on misinformation. He said, "Public opinion has been formed based on completely incorrect information," and added, "The law stipulates that the Minister of the Interior and Safety exercises the right to propose personnel appointments, so nothing changes. Previously, the minister was bypassed, and this is an attempt to correct that."

In response to concerns that the launch of the Police Bureau is being rushed, he stated the need to promptly supplement personnel. Minister Lee said, "It is by no means rushing," and explained, "Currently, the Presidential Office lacks a Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs and a Security Secretary. The Minister of the Interior and Safety must handle these duties, so the organization needs to be supplemented quickly."

Furthermore, he mentioned that the authority over police budgets, inspections, and disciplinary actions could be discussed in the Police System Development Committee to be formed in the future. He also clearly stated that the autonomous police should be separated from the national police.

Minister Lee said, "Under current law, the police do not have authority over budgets, inspections, or disciplinary actions. These can be discussed in the Police System Development Committee," and added, "The autonomous police system is currently unified with the national police, making it difficult for the public to understand. Therefore, even if it requires additional time and cost, it should be separated."

Regarding whether there are any instructions or reports concerning the police-prosecutor consultative body operating in relation to the so-called 'Complete Prosecution Reform Act,' he replied, "I have not participated so far," and said, "It is an organization completely unrelated to police investigations, and I have no intention of participating in discussions such as investigation authority adjustments."

The final plan for the 'Police System Improvement' announced that day will be implemented starting next month. The Police Bureau, which was at the center of controversy, will be newly established with three divisions led by a Police Superintendent General and a total of 16 personnel. The Police System Improvement Committee will also be formed as a public-private joint body. The final plan maintains the overall framework of the draft announced last month but includes additional details.

The Police Bureau within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety will be responsible for important police-related policies and laws submitted to the State Council, the right to propose appointments for police officers at the rank of Senior Superintendent or above, submission of agenda items to the National Police Commission, and support for autonomous police. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety will establish three divisions: General Support Division, Personnel Support Division, and Autonomous Police Support Division, led by a Police Superintendent General as director. Of the 16 personnel, 12, including all members of the Personnel Support Division, will be assigned from the police force.

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