Seoul:A senior police officer has downplayed concerns that the police would gain excessive authority due to the planned prosecution reform, citing the establishment of a new investigative body.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Hong Seok-ki, head of the National Office of Investigation, addressed worries arising from the recent revision to the Criminal Procedure Act, which will strip the prosecution of its investigative powers.
Hong explained that with the creation of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, the range of investigations conducted solely by the police will actually decrease. The reform, which is set to take effect on Friday, will assign the new agency to handle investigations in seven categories of major crimes, including corruption and those against state security.
Despite the establishment of the new agency, there are ongoing concerns regarding reduced oversight of police investigations as the prosecution loses its power to conduct supplementary investigations. Hong acknowledged the increased responsibility placed on the police and committed to cooperating with requests for supplementary investigations.
He stated that the police will need to address many areas where the prosecution will no longer be able to perform supplementary investigations.