Key facts
- President Lee Jae Myung called for police internal reform and system improvements.
- A recent legal revision transferred all investigative authority from prosecutors to the police.
- The call follows public outcry over alleged police mishandling of missing-person cases on Jeju.
- Lee emphasized the need for tangible improvements in people's lives through reform.
- The president instructed officials to establish a trustworthy public safety system.
President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday called on the police to step up internal reform and system improvements following a legal revision that will transfer prosecutors' investigative authority entirely to the police.
Lee renewed the call during a meeting with his top aides after the passage of a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act, which will completely strip the prosecution of all investigative authority, leaving such power solely to the police.
The police came under public outcry after an officer on the southern island of Jeju was accused of closing multiple missing-person cases without confirming the safety of those reported missing, with two individuals later found dead.
"The police should embark on an internal overhaul and system improvements with a bone-cutting determination in light of recent cases," Lee said. "An overall review should also be carried out to determine whether there are any flaws in the practices and systems used to process cases."
The president pointed out that recent cases of police mishandling exposed a major weak point in the management of public safety, calling for measures to ensure there are no gaps in the protection of people's lives and rights.