Hwang Unha "Now It's the National Assembly's Time... If Legislation Realizing the Police Commission Passes, 'MOIS Police Control' Will Be in Vain"

"Legislation to Substantiate the National Police Commission Automatically Nullifies the 'Ministry of the Interior Police Bureau'"
"Convene the Public Administration Committee to Hold Minister Lee Accountable"
"If Forced, Grounds for Impeachment Are Met"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Joo-yeon] Hwang Un-ha, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and a graduate of the Korean National Police University, commented on the upcoming launch of the Police Bureau within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 2nd of next month, saying, "Now it is the time for the National Assembly," and added, "If a law is legislated to actualize the National Police Commission in the future, the 'Ministry of the Interior and Safety Police Bureau' will automatically become null and void."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the morning of the 28th, Representative Hwang appeared on YTN Radio's 'News King with Park Ji-hoon' and said, "If the Police Commission is actualized, the police will be affiliated with the Police Commission rather than the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. In that case, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety Minister's attempt to control the police will be in vain."

The Police Commission is an institution under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and serves as the highest deliberative and decision-making body for police administration. However, it has been evaluated as ineffective due to vulnerability to political influence and lack of substantial authority. Recently, voices from the opposition and other quarters have called for actualizing the functions of the Police Commission as an alternative to the Police Bureau.

Representative Hwang also pointed out that deciding to establish the Police Bureau solely through enforcement ordinances without legislative amendment or enactment is an illegal act that violates the rule of law.

He criticized, "We should uphold the rule of law, but they are trying to do it through enforcement ordinances. This also violates the spirit of the separation of powers."

He continued, "If an enforcement ordinance is made that contradicts the legislative intent or content, the standing committee of the National Assembly can raise issues, and through a plenary session resolution, request the government to reconsider the matter. Currently, the National Assembly Act only allows for a reconsideration request, but we are pushing to amend the National Assembly Act to enable modification and change of enforcement ordinances in the future."

Regarding opinions calling for a motion to dismiss or impeachment of Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, he said, "The National Assembly should convene the Public Administration and Security Committee and hold the minister accountable," adding, "They should demand, 'Why are you pushing enforcement ordinances that violate the Constitution and laws? Reconsider now.' If the Minister of the Interior and Safety insists on proceeding despite this, it becomes grounds for impeachment."

He further stated, "I believe impeachment proceedings will be pursued. If one hundred members agree, it will be 'activated,'" and added, "It seems there is no opposition within the party." However, he noted there is an opinion to observe public sentiment, explaining, "If public opinion does not form in favor of impeachment as legitimate, there could be accusations that 'the major opposition party is acting tyrannically,' so the intention is to watch carefully."

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