South Korea to create police reform body this week — Korea Herald
South Korea will launch a special body this week to advance a large-scale police reform. The National Police Agency of Korea stated this, Korea Herald reports.
Transfer of investigative powers
Calls for police reform intensified after legislative changes under which the prosecution's investigative powers are to be transferred to the police. President Lee Jae-myung stressed the need for reform, saying that the police would soon have more authority than any other state body.
The agency said that the creation of the new body is intended to demonstrate the fulfillment of a promise to fundamentally reform the police. Law enforcement officials promised to announce details of its work later.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Police training
Acting head of the National Police Agency Kim Jong-cheol, following a briefing with senior officials, stressed that police officers in the field must be well familiar with the updated investigation procedures. He also instructed that proper training be provided this month for all police employees on the amended Criminal Procedure Act.
Calls for reform also intensified after public attention surrounding a missing persons case on the southern island of Jeju. As Korea Herald reports, it was established that one police officer prematurely closed several missing persons cases without making sure of the individuals' safety.
