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President Lee Calls for Urgent Police Reform Amid Concerns Over Growing Authority

Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung emphasized the impending dominance of the police force among government agencies on Tuesday, advocating for the establishment of a dedicated body to oversee police reform.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the president's remarks came during a Cabinet meeting, following the recent approval of a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act. This legislative change, once enacted, will transfer all investigative authority from the prosecution to the police, raising significant concerns about the concentration of power.

The need for reform has been further underscored by the discovery of a woman's presumed body on Jeju Island. The case, closed prematurely by a police officer without verifying the woman's safety, has sparked public outrage and calls into question the adequacy of current police investigations.

President Lee highlighted the growing skepticism regarding the police's ability to handle their expanded authority responsibly. He urged the government to contemplate how to reform the police and suggested the creation of a government body to oversee these reforms. The president tasked the prime minister's office with soliciting public input to formulate a plan for this proposed body.

As the police prepare to assume the most significant power among government agencies, President Lee stressed the public's concerns about this shift. He cited recent incidents that have exposed police irresponsibility and called for comprehensive efforts to address these issues and revamp the system.

"Power, when concentrated, always creates problems," President Lee noted. He emphasized the necessity to enhance the level of responsibility in line with the increased authority that the police will soon possess.

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