South Korea Police to Enhance Whistleblower Protections

The agency aims to bolster internal oversight and foster greater confidence among officers to report wrongdoing. The proposed measures received approval from the Korean National Police Commission earlier in the day and will lead to revisions in the agency's enforcement rules regarding disciplinary actions for police officers.

To safeguard whistleblowers' identities, the agency will permit reports to be submitted through legal representatives. Furthermore, it is collaborating with other government bodies to establish systems for covering whistleblowers' legal expenses. The financial incentive for reporting will also be significantly increased, with the maximum payout rising from 27 million won to 100 million won (approximately US$70,497), in an effort to stimulate more reports.

This development comes after the National Assembly passed an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act last month, which removed prosecutors' direct investigative powers, leaving the police as the sole investigative body. The exclusive authority granted to the police has also sparked concerns about a potential decline in the overall quality of investigations.