Police Establish External Task Force to Overhaul Investigations After Gwangju Scandal

South Korea's National Police Agency is forming a special task force, including external experts, to address a crisis of confidence stemming from allegations of mishandled investigations and collusion in a high-profile murder case involving a high school student in Gwangju. The agency aims to prevent similar incidents and implement stricter controls on police investigations.

The 'Police Investigation Reliability Enhancement Task Force' will be chaired by a respected figure from outside the police force, with a majority of its members also being external appointees. This task force will conduct a nationwide review of cases that bear similarities to the Gwangju incident. Beyond reviewing specific cases, the team will also examine the overall police investigation system and propose reforms to bolster public trust.

In parallel, the National Police Agency announced the establishment of an 'Internal Corruption Investigation Unit' directly under the National Investigation Headquarters. The acting Police Commissioner, Yoo Jae-seong, currently abroad for a UN Police Commissioners meeting, is scheduled to hold a video conference with police leadership upon his return. He is expected to discuss the specifics of the new units and emphasize the leadership's commitment to reform, urging all police officers to participate in these efforts.