Prime Minister Han: "Proposal to Establish Police Bureau Aims for More Transparent and Democratic Oversight"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kim Hyewon] Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated on the 26th that the amendment to the enforcement decree for the establishment of a Police Bureau within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety is "an amendment that allows the Minister of the Interior and Safety, who is part of the Cabinet, to oversee the National Police Agency more transparently and democratically, instead of the Blue House's Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs who had been effectively controlling the National Police Agency."

At the 33rd Cabinet meeting held at the Government Complex Seoul, Prime Minister Han said, "(This enforcement decree) establishes a Police Bureau to administratively support the National Police Agency, which is an increasingly important public safety institution in our country, under the Minister of the Interior and Safety." The government approved the "Partial Amendment to the Enforcement Decree on the Organization of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and Its Affiliated Agencies" to establish the Police Bureau within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Han.

Prime Minister Han urged, "I hope the Minister of the Interior and Safety will persuade and communicate well to promptly resolve all administrative issues related to the oversight of the National Police Agency following this organizational restructuring."

Regarding the resurgence of COVID-19, Prime Minister Han said, "The number of confirmed cases is approaching 100,000," and added, "With the start of the peak vacation season, there is great concern that the spread of infection may accelerate." He continued, "We have experienced several waves over the past two and a half years and now know well how to respond," emphasizing, "What is important is not stopping the economy and daily life but autonomy and practice."

Regarding the upcoming announcement on the 27th of the "Voluntary Social Distancing Practice Plan," he said, "I ask all citizens to make efforts to practice quarantine measures in their daily lives," and added, "The government will do its best to safely overcome this critical phase of the resurgence based on the quarantine response system prepared so far." Furthermore, he stated, "We plan to introduce and utilize improved vaccines as quickly as possible in the second half of the year," and "The introduction plan and vaccination targets will be announced by the end of August."

Concerning the heatwave following the end of the rainy season, he urged, "Relevant ministries and local governments should work together to strengthen efforts to manage the health and safety of the people," and ordered, "Pay special attention to confirming the safety of vulnerable groups such as elderly people living alone and outdoor workers, and ensure that related support measures are implemented without delay."

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