Interior ministry lays out ways it will control police

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Interior ministry lays out ways it will control police

Published: 21 Jun. 2022, 18:15 Updated: 21 Jun. 2022, 18:16

A group representing Seoul police holds a press conference in front of the government complex in Jongno District, central Seoul, Tuesday afternoon protesting the Interior Ministry’s plans to tighten its control over the National Police Agency. [NEWS1]

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety revealed a plan Tuesday to establish a new bureau to tighten its grip over the police, prompting an immediate backlash.

After a meeting at the central government complex in Seoul, an advisory committee for police reform set up by Interior Minister Lee Sang-min made a set of recommendations for the ministry to control the police by allowing its direct involvement in personnel appointments, disciplinary action and audits.

Through a so-called "police bureau," the Interior Ministry will be able to take on a wide range of functions such as recommending candidates for high-ranking police positions and demanding disciplinary measures for senior police officials, including the National Police Agency commissioner.

Controversy is expected to grow over the plan and it is already provoking a strong backlash from the police.

The Korean National Police Agency was made an independent government agency in 1991, making it no longer subordinate to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the precursor of the Interior Ministry.

The ministry's move comes as police are set to gain more investigative authority from prosecutors under recently revised laws eventually abolishing the prosecution's powers.

The advisory committee said the plan would allow the police to carry out its tasks efficiently. It proposed a personnel management committee to recommend high-level police positions and to enable external audits to prevent corruption and allow for transparency of investigations.

It cited laws that allow the ministry to perform various roles related to the National Police Agency, such as the Constitution, Government Organization Act, National Police Service Act and Criminal Procedure Act.

The committee argued that there is no organization in the ministry to support certain tasks, such as proposing laws and personnel management. It recommended the creation of a new bureau to help the interior minister oversee such functions.

The public-private committee was comprised of nine members including two government officials, one police officer and six civilian experts. It was co-chaired by Vice Interior Minister Han Chang-seob and lawyer Hwang Jeong-geun, a former district court judge. It held four meetings since last month.

While the committee's proposals are recommendations, they are expected to be adopted by the government.

"The police didn't have investigative powers when they became independent in 1991 as an external agency, but gained broad investigation authority starting last year," said committee co-chair Hwang.

"Based on the recommendations, we will select key tasks that will help realize a people-centered police," Vice Minister Han said, "and faithfully carry out our tasks by listening to the opinions of related organizations."

Kim Chang-yong, commissioner-general of the National Police Agency, convened a videoconference with police chiefs nationwide to discuss a response to the plan.

"They're telling police to keep quiet and just do what the government tells them to do," said Oh Young-hwan, floor spokesman of the Democratic Party (DP), Tuesday. He said the ministry's plan is "meant to keep the police under their feet to further solidify a prosecutors' republic."

BY SARAH KIM [[email protected]]