Police face trust crisis amid leaks and internal misconduct scandals

South Korean police are grappling with a severe crisis of trust amid a surge of internal misconduct and investigation leaks, just as their investigative powers are set to expand significantly. The organization faces mounting public skepticism due to recent scandals.

Recent weeks have seen multiple allegations of investigation information being compromised. The joint investigation headquarters for drug crimes (합수본) recently raided the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in connection with an alleged leak of investigation details to a drug suspect by a police inspector from Gwangjin Police Station. Simultaneously, Gangnam Police Station placed a team leader on administrative leave due to suspicions of leaking investigation information to a massage parlor he was investigating. He allegedly revealed the informant's identity to the establishment after receiving a report of illegal activity.

These incidents expose significant vulnerabilities in the police's internal control systems and highlight potential collusion between officers and criminal elements. A broader investigation, prompted by the "Jang Yoon-gi poor investigation suspicions," uncovered 117 cases where officers' family members were involved in cases assigned to their respective police stations. In one instance, an investigator was caught conducting a "self-investigation" into a phishing case involving a family member. In another, a police inspector in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, was found to have personally destroyed his teenage son's phone, which contained evidence of illegal filming.

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Adding to the turmoil, allegations of regional collusion and abuse of power by intelligence officers have resurfaced. The National Police Agency has launched an internal affairs investigation into a senior officer from Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency accused of sexual harassment, personnel interference, and abusive behavior. This officer, known as 'King of Geoje' due to his influence derived from intelligence roles and connections, exemplifies the problematic fusion of entrenched local networks and the misuse of intelligence gathering powers.

In response, the police have announced several reform initiatives, including the establishment of an external Police Investigation Reform Committee and plans for an external auditing body under the National Police Commission and a dedicated internal affairs unit within the National Investigation Headquarters. However, these measures face internal dissent, particularly the proposed mandatory personnel rotation system. The National Police Workplace Council has formed an anti-rotation task force, with its chairman stating that field officers strongly oppose being treated as criminals due to the actions of a few, and are pushing for rotation as a punitive measure.

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