Acting Police Chief Takes Weekend Briefings as Police Reform Body Set to Launch This Week

South Korea’s National Police Agency plans to launch a dedicated police reform body this week, responding to mounting demands for change after criticism over the false closure of a missing-person case in Jeju and alleged shortcomings in an investigation involving Jang Yun-gi.

The agency said on Sept. 6 that the body would carry out the pledge to “fundamentally reform the police.” A senior superintendent-level official will lead it. Acting Police Commissioner General Kim Jong-cheol had previously said he would establish a Police Reform Promotion Team to review the organization, its systems, working methods and internal culture.

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The field is crucial for the changed criminal justice system to take root.

Kim spent the weekend receiving operational briefings. He also called for thorough field training ahead of amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act scheduled to take effect this month. “The field is crucial for the changed criminal justice system to take root,” Kim said. He instructed officials to consider personnel systems that would allow capable and committed investigators to remain in investigative departments.

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We will consider personnel systems that allow outstanding personnel with capability and a sense of duty to continue working in investigative departments.

Specific measures will be discussed by a task force on follow-up steps for the revised Criminal Procedure Act, chaired by Kim. The agency also reported that traffic deaths had declined by about 100 compared with the previous year as of August.

Kim described protecting people from traffic accidents as one of the police’s leading duties. He told officials to connect enforcement and investigations with prevention, victim protection and post-incident support. He also ordered discussions with relevant agencies to secure legal changes, staff and funding so officers in the field can carry out those responsibilities.

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Police activity as a whole should not stop at enforcement and investigations, but should organically connect prevention, victim protection and post-incident support.