Police: "Tenfold Control Process in Operation... Concerns Over Expansion of Investigative Powers Excessive"

As concerns have been raised within some political circles about the excessive expansion of police investigative powers, the police have responded by stating that the entire investigative process is subject to oversight by prosecutors and parties involved in the case, and that such concerns are excessive.

Yonhap News

Park Sungju, Commissioner of the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency, said at a regular press briefing on September 1, "The entire police investigative process is managed according to ten types of control processes, known as 'tenfold control,'" adding, "At each stage of the investigation, there are institutionalized procedures for prosecutor approval and oversight, as well as objections raised by parties involved in the case."

According to materials presented by the police, these control procedures begin at the investigation stage and include: the prosecutor's right to request supplementation when applying for a warrant; the right to demand corrective action or disciplinary measures in cases of legal violations or human rights infringements; and the guarantee of prosecutorial priority in concurrent investigations.

Furthermore, after a case is transferred to the prosecution, various control mechanisms are in place, including the right to request supplementary investigations, the exclusive right to prosecute, and the ability to request review and reinvestigation of non-indictment cases within 90 days.

Even after a non-indictment decision has been made, prosecutors may request reinvestigation or transfer of the case under certain conditions.

Additionally, parties involved in the case may also file an objection to request that a non-indictment case be transferred to the prosecutor.

Commissioner Park emphasized, "In the case of the ongoing discussions on prosecution reform, the separation of investigation and prosecution is the core issue, and I do not believe it is directly related to the expansion of police powers," adding, "Police investigations are strictly managed under both internal and external control mechanisms."

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