Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday urged the police to initiate comprehensive internal reforms following a legal amendment that will shift all investigative authority from prosecutors to the police.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee emphasized the need for reform during a meeting with his top aides, in light of the recent passage of a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act. This legal change will fully strip the prosecution of their investigative powers, granting such authority exclusively to the police.
The call for reform comes amid public outcry over a recent incident on the southern island of Jeju, where a police officer was accused of closing multiple missing-person cases without verifying the safety of those reported missing. Tragically, two individuals were found deceased, prompting concerns over police procedures and accountability.
"The police should embark on an internal overhaul and system improvements with a bone-cutting determination in light of recent cases," President Lee stated. He further emphasized the importance of a comprehensive review to identify and address any flaws within current practices and systems used for case management.
Highlighting the recent mishandling by the police, Lee identified a significant vulnerability in the management of public safety. He urged for measures to be implemented to ensure there are no gaps in the protection of people's lives and rights. "The goal of all reform is to make tangible improvements in people's lives," Lee said, directing officials to establish a trustworthy public safety system.
In addition to police reforms, President Lee addressed apparent loopholes in the national pension distribution, which seem to unfairly benefit some ineligible foreign residents. He called for reforms in the social security systems to ensure fairness and prevent any unjust advantages or disadvantages. "Social security systems that run on financial resources pooled by the public should be designed fairly," Lee instructed, urging the development of system reforms to uphold equity.