Police Reform Task Force Launched Amid Severe Criticism Over "Lax Discipline and Irresponsibility"

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Before investigative powers have even been fully concentrated in the police, public distrust has surged following the Jang Yoon-ki case and the exposure of a hidden missing persons case. In response, the Democratic Party, which pushed through the adjustment of investigative powers, has launched a police reform task force.

This is reporter Park Jae-yeon.

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President Lee Jae-myung pointed out during a Cabinet meeting yesterday (the 25th) that recent issues regarding the lax discipline and irresponsibility of the police have emerged as a serious concern.

He also stated that as the police gain greater authority through amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act, reforms are necessary to strengthen their accountability.

[President Lee Jae-myung : Public concern is very high. Because doubts arise as to whether they are capable of fully fulfilling the responsibilities that come with this great authority, we must consider how to reform the police moving forward....]

Democratic Party Floor Leader Han Byung-do, who called for a "thorough renewal and overhaul" of the police regarding the Jang Yoon-ki case on the 6th, demanded once again 19 days later that the police undergo "drastic self-renewal."

[Han Byung-do / Democratic Party Floor Leader : The police now stand at the final crossroads to determine whether they can regain public trust.]

Self-reflection and sharp rebukes poured out during a police reform seminar held by ruling bloc lawmakers.

One lawmaker, a former deputy commissioner general of the National Police Agency, made the following remark, saying,

[Lim Ho-sun / Democratic Party Lawmaker : It feels as though I have lived a wasted life. The police are still failing to fulfill their responsibilities.]

Experts suggested implementing tighter oversight of police powers, such as strengthening the authority of the National Police Committee.

[Lee Chang-min / Lawyer : They simply handle cases as suicides. Why do they handle them that way? Because it is the easiest. External oversight is necessary.]

The Democratic Party launched the Police Reform Task Force under the instructions of Party Leader Kim Min-seok. Rep. Kim Nam-hee, who was appointed as the head of the task force, had previously emphasized the need for legislative supplementation to protect victims during the recent process of revising the Criminal Procedure Act to abolish the prosecution's supplementary investigative powers.

People Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk targeted the ruling bloc on social media, writing, "Did you push ahead with the dismantling of the prosecution while knowing so well about the police issues? In the end, only the public will suffer tremendous damage."

(Video reporting: Oh Young-chun, Kim Yong-woo | Video editing: Won Hyung-hee | Design: Lee Ga-jin)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.