South Korean President Lee Jae Myung faces scrutiny over police reform amid misconduct allegations

In one instance, a police officer on Jeju Island is suspected of fabricating grounds to close a missing person case and misleading the family. The remains of the missing individual were found after the family sought continued investigation. A similar situation involved another missing person case that was reportedly improperly closed.

President Lee has responded by ordering thorough investigations into the police handling of these cases and has called for the government to devise a comprehensive police reform plan. He stressed that as police are set to gain the most significant authority among government agencies following the abolition of prosecutors' investigative powers in October, their responsibility must increase proportionally.

Lee has instructed the Prime Minister's Office to take the lead in establishing a government body to oversee police reform, emphasizing the need for broad public consultation. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea has also launched its own police reform task force, headed by Rep. Kim Nam-hee, who has previously expressed caution regarding the transfer of investigative powers.