Key facts
- President Lee Jae Myung stated the police will soon hold the greatest power among government agencies.
- A legislative revision will grant the police exclusive investigative authority.
- A recent incident involving a missing person case on Jeju Island has led to public criticism of police investigations.
- President Lee called for the establishment of a government body to manage police reform.
SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday the police will soon wield the greatest power among government agencies, calling for the formation of a government body to be in charge of police reform. The president made the remarks at a Cabinet meeting following the recent passage of a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act, which, when enacted, will completely strip the prosecution of all investigative authority, leaving such power solely to the police. They also come after the discovery of the presumed body of a woman reported missing on the southern Jeju Island. A police officer on Jeju reportedly closed the missing person case without confirming her whereabouts or safety, prompting a public outcry over lax police investigations. "As there is skepticism about whether (police) are qualified to exercise their great authority, I hope (the government) will consider how to reform the police, how to establish a (government) body" that will oversee police reform, Lee said.