Gyeongju: Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has directed the interior ministry and the police agency to develop a thorough plan for police reform, in coordination with the prosecution. This initiative is part of President Lee Jae Myung's broader agenda to restructure the prosecution, particularly to disentangle its investigative and indictment roles.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim's directive emphasizes the need for a prompt formulation of a comprehensive police reform proposal. This proposal aims to significantly boost the investigative capabilities of the police force while ensuring enhanced protection of citizens' livelihoods and safety. The Prime Minister's office highlighted this objective in a recent press release.

Additionally, Kim has tasked the National Police Agency with investigating reports that front-line officers lacked proper accommodation and were forced to sleep on cardboard boxes during their deployment at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju at the end of October. The summit location is approximately 275 kilometers southeast of Seoul.

In light of these reports, Kim expressed his "sincere consolation" to the officers who endured these hardships and conveyed his gratitude for their dedication under challenging conditions. He has also charged the police agency with devising appropriate response measures to address these issues.