Police Prepare to Take Over Counterintelligence Investigation Authority... Unqualified Investigators to Be Removed

Special Training for Bottom 20%... Personnel Actions After Reassessment

The police, who are taking over the counterintelligence investigation authority, have begun strengthening their capabilities. They have decided to take personnel measures against senior investigators who lack competence.

On the 15th, the National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters Security Investigation Bureau will conduct a security investigation command competency evaluation test at 2 p.m. in the main auditorium of the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, targeting 131 security investigation team leaders and chief investigators from city and provincial police agencies.

The evaluation test is reported to present actual investigation scenarios, which participants answer in a subjective format. This is the first exam to assess the work capabilities of police officers in charge of security investigations.

Based on the test results, the police will classify security investigation commanders' competencies into four grades and provide special training to the bottom 20% who receive the lowest grade. If their performance remains poor in a subsequent re-evaluation, personnel measures will be taken.

A National Police Agency official stated, "Ahead of the transfer of counterintelligence investigation authority, we are exploring various measures to strengthen police capabilities. Since there is a need for internal personnel renewal, we plan to evaluate and take personnel actions against security investigation team leaders nationwide."

Meanwhile, in the political sphere, there are claims that the abolition of the National Intelligence Service's counterintelligence investigation authority will create a significant gap.

On the 12th, Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon said during a National Assembly government questioning session, "I believe there will be a significant gap in counterintelligence investigations if the National Intelligence Service's counterintelligence investigation authority is abolished." On the other hand, Rep. Jeong Jin-seok of the People Power Party said in January, "The know-how and experience of current counterintelligence investigators are needed more than ever. If this is transferred to the police without any measures, it would be like disarming ourselves in anti-espionage operations."

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