Accra:Seoul President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday urged comprehensive reform within the police to address wrongful practices and enhance accountability. His address was delivered during the 81st Police Day celebrations, a period marked by heightened investigative powers for the police following recent prosecution reforms.

According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee emphasized the need for a special system to independently vet police investigations. The reforms come in response to the increased authority police now hold, as prosecutors' investigative powers have been curtailed, limiting their role to handling indictments.

The president called for an aggressive approach to reform, focusing on rectifying wrongful practices and systems within the police force. He stressed that the investigative power granted by the people must be exercised fairly and with clear accountability. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of shielding investigations from external influences while ensuring rigorous scrutiny of processes and results.

President Lee's remarks are set against a backdrop of rising public safety concerns, following a series of violent crimes. This includes a recent stabbing spree in Incheon and a case involving the fatal stabbing of a mother-in-law. He noted that restoring public trust requires the police to acknowledge their shortcomings and address them promptly, emphasizing that actions, rather than words, are needed to demonstrate change and regain public confidence.