President Lee Jae-myung on the 21st reiterated his position that checks and democratic oversight will be strengthened over the police powers expanded by the sweeping overhaul of the criminal justice system, calling for "bone-carving efforts" and "bold reform." He stressed in particular that all necessary steps must be taken without gaps so that the absence of supplementary investigation rights does not create holes in investigations.
Speaking at a ceremony marking the 81st Police Day held at the Korean National Police Agency that day, Lee said, "I hope you will look back coldly at what was lacking and actively pursue reform that boldly corrects wrong practices and systems." He added that police must guard against the fact that "deviations by a few and inadequate responses can erode the trust and reputation of the entire organization," repeating his call for renewal within the force.
On the restructuring of the criminal justice system in particular, he called for cooperation with related agencies including the new Public Prosecution Office and the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency to prevent investigative gaps and strengthen democratic oversight. "As our criminal justice system, which has been maintained for more than 70 years, undergoes a complete overhaul and police powers become weightier than ever, you must keep in mind that police responsibility has also grown," Lee said. "Public trust cannot be restored with words. You must show a changed face in the field and make bone-carving efforts so that the public can feel the change."
"I hope you will establish democratic oversight and accountability commensurate with the expanded investigative powers," he said. "Investigative authority is delegated by the people. It must therefore be exercised fairly in accordance with the law and principles, and responsibility for the exercise of that authority must be made clear."
Lee issued specific instructions including a shift from after-the-fact response to advance prevention of relationship-based and random crimes along with extraordinary measures, the establishment of a subcommittee on socially vulnerable groups within the investigation review committee, strict investigation of jeonse (lump-sum deposit lease) fraud, investment fraud and fraudulent receipt of state subsidies, and improving the quality of public safety through artificial intelligence and advanced technology.
He also stressed that officers must not be "swayed by any outside pressure or vested interests" during investigations. "Improving laws and systems is only a minimum necessary condition; it is hard for it to be a sufficient condition," Lee said. "Take today as an opportunity to renew your resolve, and with swift action and clear results, be reborn as a trustworthy police force for the people that lives up to public expectations."