National Office of Investigation Chief: 'We Will Enhance Initial Investigation Integrity... No Worries Over Increased Supplementary Investigations'

Hong Seok-ki, Chief of the National Office of Investigation, stated during a regular press briefing held today (August 3) following the passage of the Criminal Procedure Act amendment through the National Assembly, "We will maximize the integrity of our cases when initially sending them (to the prosecution)."

When asked about his stance on the abolition of the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights, Chief Hong said, "It is a critical turning point for the criminal justice system," adding, "I feel a heavy sense of responsibility," before making the remarks.

Regarding the amended Criminal Procedure Act, he stated, "Looking at Article 195, I think it is clearly stated. Prosecutors and judicial police officers must cooperate with each other regarding investigation, prosecution, and the maintenance of indictments," and added, "I believe it is a legislative decision that separates investigation and indictment while clarifying the roles and responsibilities of each agency."

Regarding the prosecution's requests for supplementary investigations directed at the police, Chief Hong responded, "(During the investigation process) we can request legal judgments and advice from prosecutors, and prosecutors are also obligated to provide answers. If we do so, requests for supplementary investigations are expected to decrease significantly compared to now."

Chief Hong also explained, "Even if there is a request for a supplementary investigation, when sending the case back within one month, only the contents of the supplementary investigation are to be sent to the prosecution. However, the newly amended Criminal Procedure Act requires that all newly investigated contents and related materials be sent to the prosecutor. I believe this will enhance the integrity of investigations so that the public does not suffer damages."

To address concerns that "there may be an increase in reckless requests for supplementary investigations," he stated, "We will sufficiently consult with prosecutors just before forwarding the case from now on," and added, "Through this process, from the prosecution's perspective, rather than acting as a competing agency possessing some investigative powers as they did before, they will hold the responsibility as maintainers of indictments to properly guide multiple investigative agencies and secure guilty or not-guilty verdicts in court."

He emphasized, "Whether the prosecution holds direct investigative powers or supplementary investigation powers, as they focus on investigations, there must have been cases where various necessary proofs were missing or where contents existed in the investigative materials yet supplementary investigations were requested," adding, "Once authority is concentrated on filing and maintaining indictments, I believe prosecutors will be able to focus solely on this without handling other tasks."

Regarding the procedure that allows prosecutors, if they judge it difficult to expect an appropriate investigation by the police, to designate another investigative agency such as a higher investigative office or the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency to request supplementary investigations or reinvestigations, he said, "It is the strongest control measure, and I think it is necessary for the police as well," and added, "Concerns that the police's investigative powers have become bloated and turned into a dinosaur due to the amendments to the Prosecutors' Office Act, the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency Act, and the Criminal Procedure Act have been resolved, I think. Check-and-balance mechanisms have been reinforced."

In response to a question about plans to expand investigative personnel, he answered, "First, through internal restructuring, we secured about 1,900 personnel and sent them to investigative teams, and we are securing as many additional personnel as possible."

To the question asking what level of caseload per investigative police officer is appropriate, he stated, "To secure safe public security, we are discussing how many police officers per 100,000 residents are appropriate, and we are also discussing foreign cases," adding, "We are in the process of reviewing whether to deploy investigators to the field or whether it is more efficient to place reviewers at intermediate stages."

Regarding the formation of a task force (TF) related to the amendment of the Criminal Procedure Act, he said, "Regarding potential issues that may arise from the amendment of the Criminal Procedure Act, we have formed a TF centered around the Investigation Planning and Coordination Officer to see how to supplement them," and added, "We will listen to various opinions."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.