Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min announced today (27th) that a new police organization called the 'Police Department' will be established as soon as possible within the Ministry of Public Administration and Security.
Minister Lee said he would make a final draft by July 15 and start preparing related regulations.
According to this, it is expected that a police-related organization can be created within the Ministry of Public Administration and Security as early as next month.
Minister Lee held a press conference at 11 am today at the annex of the government complex in Seoul and revealed the position and future plans of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security regarding the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Police System Improvement.
Minister Lee said, "We will promptly promote the establishment of a police-related support organization within the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, the enactment of a 'command rule for the head of the agency', and transparency of the personnel procedure."
It is the position of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security to establish a 'minimum necessary' organization within the Ministry of Public Administration and Security where the Minister can direct and supervise the police.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (predecessor of the Ministry of Public Security) became independent in 1991 as the National Police Agency, an external agency of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Ministry of Public Administration and Security said that the current government had to direct the police through the Minister of Public Administration and Security in accordance with the Constitution and laws and abolished the chief civil affairs and security secretary. He explained that he would not be able to carry out its roles and responsibilities as there was no organization to do so.
He added that the Minister of Public Administration and Security can perform the role given by the law responsibly with the assistance of the police organization, and will contribute to the protection of people's human rights and public security by commanding and checking the police.
However, Minister Lee added, "Improvement of inspection and disciplinary action is a matter that requires amendment of the law, so we will proceed with legislation after further discussion."
He said that the expansion of appropriate manpower, improvement of treatment, and improvement of the operation of investigative officers, etc., suggested to strengthen the police's mission capacity, will be carried out in consultation with the National Police Agency, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, and the Human Resources Office.
He also said, "In order to break the irrational monopoly structure of high-ranking officials from certain backgrounds, we will actively push forward with the expansion of promotions to senior positions from ordinary people."
In addition, he added that the formation and operation of the government-wide 'Police System Development Committee' suggested as a future measure in the recommendation will be promoted as soon as possible.
The committee plans to in-depth discussions on matters that require amendment of the law, including recommendations, or that require mid- to long-term review.
The committee will discuss agenda items such as the establishment of a candidate recommendation committee or recommendation advisory committee for the minister's personnel recommendation, improvement of the inspection and disciplinary system, expansion of police-related infrastructure such as increase of investigative personnel, and measures to strengthen the fairness of investigations.
Minister Lee said, "In addition to the problem of the command and supervision methods of past governments, the authority of the police has recently been rapidly expanded and strengthened, so supplementary measures such as reorganization of the police management system and strengthening of investigation capabilities are needed." I explained the reinforcement background.
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Earlier, the advisory committee of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security announced on the 21st a recommendation to establish a police command organization and enact the rules of command of the Minister of Public Administration and Security for the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency to control the police's bloated powers due to the adjustment of the investigation authority.
The recommendation included 'the establishment of a candidate recommendation committee or recommendation advisory committee for personnel proposals for the Commissioner of the National Police Agency, the head of the National Investigation Headquarters and other high-ranking police officers'.
The Advisory Committee also recommended that external audits and inspections of the Board of Audit and Inspection be substantiated and that 'the Minister of Public Administration and Security should be given the right to demand disciplinary action against high-ranking police officers at a certain level or higher, including the Commissioner of the National Police Agency'.
Most of the recommendations were reflected in the plan of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security.
Minister Lee said, "The Ministry of Public Administration and Security actively sympathizes with the recommendations, and the proposed improvement plans will be pursued step by step without wavering in consultation with the National Police Agency."
He said, "We will continue to actively listen to various opinions through discussions, press conferences, and consultations with related organizations on the proposal for establishing a new police work organization and enactment of the command rules, and prepare and announce the final draft by July 15, and enact and amend related regulations. We plan to start on it,” he said.
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Since the Ministry of Public Administration and Security's policy of direct police control was announced, the police have strongly protested against the violation of the independence and neutrality of the organization.
The National Police Agency said on the morning of the same day that the announcement of the position of the Minister of Public Administration and Security was expected, "Chairman Kim expressed his resignation today," and said that additional positions will be announced in the afternoon.
Commissioner Kim's resignation is being taken as a means of taking responsibility for internal opposition to the police control plan of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security and the rebuke of President Yoon Seok-yeol for overturning the appointment of the Chief of Public Safety and Security.
(Photo = Yonhap News)