Key facts
- President Lee Jae Myung urged police to reform wrongful practices and systems.
- Lee called for an independent vetting system for police investigations.
- The remarks were made during the 81st Police Day ceremony.
- Police have gained greater investigative authority after prosecution reforms.
SEOUL, Oct. 21 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday urged the police to aggressively reform themselves to address wrongful practices and systems, also stressing the need for a special system to independently vet police investigations. The president made the call in a speech marking the 81st Police Day, as the police have assumed greater investigative authority following the Lee administration's prosecution reform, which removed prosecutors' investigative powers, leaving them in charge only of indictments and their maintenance. "By objectively looking back on what has been lacking, (police) should aggressive pursue reform to boldly address wrongful practices and systems," the president said.