South Korean Opposition Leader Criticizes Slow Police Reform, Vows to Eradicate Malpractices

Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party, has voiced strong criticism regarding the sluggish pace of police reform in South Korea. He revealed that he had requested comprehensive police reform plans early in his tenure as Prime Minister, but significant progress has yet to materialize, leaving him with a "strong sense of problematicness."

Kim pointed to the recent 'Jeju missing person false closure' case as a stark example of systemic failures. He emphasized that this incident occurred even while the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights were active, underscoring the need for immediate and decisive action. "We will protect investigations that safeguard the public and decisively reform investigative powers that infringe upon citizens' rights," Kim stated during a party meeting.

The party leader outlined six major malpractices within the police force that he aims to eradicate: shielding colleagues, burying cases, arbitrary closures, evidence concealment and manipulation, investigation information leaks, and personal information violations. To address these issues, Kim proposed strengthening external audits, reinforcing grounds for recusal in investigations, enhancing explanations to victims, and increasing legal accountability for flawed investigations.

Meanwhile, Han Byung-do, the party's floor leader, expressed deep regret over the People Power Party's absence from a parliamentary committee meeting that passed a resolution calling for the expulsion of lawmaker Lee Jin-suk. Han criticized the ongoing controversy surrounding the May 18th Gwangju Uprising and lamented the situation where Lee, accused of disrespecting the event, was defended by the opposing party. He vowed that the Democratic Party would not let the matter be swept under the rug and would hold Lee accountable before the public and history.