Key facts
- Acting police chief Yoo Jae-seong vowed to overhaul the entire police investigation system.
- The commitment follows controversy over the alleged mishandling of a murder case in Gwangju.
- Allegations include police leaking investigative material to the murder suspect's father, who is also a police officer.
- A police investigation reform task force with a majority of external members will be launched.
- An internal corruption investigation unit will be established to handle serious job-related crimes by KNPA officials.
SEOUL, July 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's acting police chief, Yoo Jae-seong, on Monday reaffirmed his commitment to a comprehensive overhaul of the nation's police investigation system. This pledge comes amid a significant controversy concerning the alleged mishandling of a high-profile murder case in Gwangju.
The controversy involves allegations that police in Gwangju leaked investigative materials to the father of the murder suspect, who is himself a police officer in the city. The suspect, 23-year-old Jang Yoon-gi, faces charges of killing a 16-year-old female student and attempting to kill a 17-year-old male student on May 5.
Yoo stated that the Gwangju case will serve as a catalyst for thorough reform aimed at restoring public trust. To prevent similar incidents, a police investigation reform task force will be established this month. This task force, comprising seven to 10 members with a majority of external experts, will focus on personnel systems to combat collusion.
Additionally, an internal corruption investigation unit will be created under the National Office of Investigation to address serious job-related crimes committed by KNPA officials, irrespective of their rank. Yoo also addressed the complexities of implementing a rotational personnel system across all ranks, noting that while senior officers are already undergoing rotation, full implementation may require extensive support measures.